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DOWN THE SLOPE 



JAMES OTIS 

• V 

Author of « Telegraph Tom's Venture f '^Messenger No. 48,''' '■'•Toby Tyler f 
'■'‘The Boy Captain f "Silent Peter f etc., etc. 


ILLUSTRATED 


THE WERNER COMPANY 
NEW YORK AKRON, OHIO CHICAGO 

1899 


; T 





34:697 


COPYRIGHT 1899 
BY 

THE WERNER COMPANY 
TWO coi^iLci \&c::ivED, 




CONTENTS 


PAGES 

Chapter I — The Breaker Boy 7-14 

Chapter II — The Warning 14-24 

Chapter III — In the Shaft 24-33 

Chapter IV— The Barrier 33-41 

Chapter V— The Mob 41-50 

Chapter VI — On Duty 51-59 

Chapter VII — The Struggle 59-66 

Chapter VIII — The Pursuit 67-75 

Chapter IX — Joe Brace 75-84 

Chapter X— The Rescue 85-93 

Chapter XI — Billings and Skip 94-101 

Chapter XII — A Singular Accident loi-iio 

Chapter XIII — Buried Alive 110-118 

Chapter XIV — Precautions 118-126 

Chapter XV — A Discovery 126-134 

Chapter XVI — Good Samaritans 134-142 

Chapter XVII — Down the Slope 142-150 

Chapter XVIII — Shut Down 150-158 

Chapter XIX — The Consultation 158-165 

Chapter XX — The Accused 165-172 

Chapter XXI — Amateur Detectives 173-180 

Chapter XXII — Unexpected News 180-187 

Chapter XXIII— A Misadventure 187-195 

Chapter XXIV — Bill’s Mishap 195-202 

Chapter XXV— Joe’s Interview 203-210 

Chapter XXVI — Turning the Tables 210-217 

(iii) 


IV 


CONTENTS 


PAGES 

Chapter XXVII — An Unlooked-for Denial 217-224 

Chapter XXVIII— Opinions 224-230 

Chapter XXIX — A Question of Title 231-237 

Chapter XXX— A Suit at Law 237-244 

Chapter XXXI — Skip ’ 244-253 

Chapter XXXII — Acquitted 253-262 

Chapter XXXIII— Victorious 262-269 

Chapter XXXIV — The New Mine 270-273 


LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


“Raise him up!” Skip shouted, and in another instant Fred was 
suspended over the old shaft 23 

Fred set off at full speed, and almost immediately a shout went 
up from the rioters: “The sneaks are sending for help ! Stop 
that boy!” 74 

You four are to act as sentinels,” said the superintendent. “Study 
this map and you will hit upon a scheme” 95 

“ Please don’t drag me off,” Skip said, piteously. “ Pll never hurt 
you or anybody else again” 128 


(V) 


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- - 4 . ... ■ 


DOWN THE SLOPE 

CHAPTER I 

THE BREAKER BOY 

ST moved here, eh?” 

“ Came last Friday.” 

“And you are going into the breaker?” 

“Yes.” 

“ For thirty-five cents a day?” 

‘ ‘ That is all the company pays, and a green hand 
can’t expect to get more.” 

“ Were you ever in a mine before?” 

‘ ‘ I never even saw one. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ A trip down the slope will be enough to make you 
wish such a place in which to earn a living never ex- 
isted. Why don’t you try something else before it is 
too late?” 

‘ ‘ What do you mean by ‘ too late ’ ?’ ’ 

“When a fellow is in debt to the company’s store he 
can’t afford to be independent, and it is about the same 
as selling yourself outright for enough to eat and drink. ’ ’ 

“ I won’t get into debt.” 

“ Wait a week, and see if you can say the same thing 
then.” 

“I mustn’t get trusted. I’m the only one to whom 
mother can look for support. We hadn’t any money 

(vii) 



8 


DOWN THK SLOPK 


with which to go to the city, and so came here. It 
isn’t likely I shall be obliged to stay in the breaker for- 
ever, and after a while it will be possible to get a better 
job. Where are you working?” 

“I’m Bill Thomas’ butty.” 

“What’s that?” 

“ His helper. He’s a miner, and I’ll have the same 
kind of a lay after being with him a while. ’ ’ 

“ Were you ever in the breaker?” 

‘ ‘ I sorted slate from coal most three years, an’ got 
more dust than money; but I’m tough, you see, an’ 
didn’t wear out my lungs.” 

“What’s your name?” 

‘ ‘ Sam Thorpe; but if you ever want anybody to help 
you out of a scrape, an’ I reckon that’ll happen before 
many days, ask for Bill’s butty.” 

“ I am Fred Byram, and mother has hired the new 
house near the store. ’ ’ 

“ I’m sorry for you; but as it can’t be helped now, 
keep your eyes peeled, for the boys are a tough lot. 
When you want a friend come to me. I like your looks, 
and wish you’d .struck most any other place than Far- 
ley’s, ’cause it’s the worst to be found in the Middle 
Field.” 

With this not very encouraging remark Sam went 
toward the mouth of the slope, and the new breaker 
boy was left to his own devices. 

It was six o’clock in the morning. The under- 
ground workers were coming singly or in groups to 
begin the day’s work for which each would be paid in 
accordance with the amount of coal taken out, and no 
one could afford to remain idle many moments. 


THE BREAKER BOY 


9 


Fred knew he must report to the breaker boss before 
seven o’clock, and approached the grimy old building 
wondering if it would be necessary for him to work 
three years, as Sam Thorpe had done, before earning 
more than thirty-five cents per day. 

Entering the breaker, which was thickly coated both 
inside and out with coal-dust, he reported to Donovan, 
the boss, by saying: 

“I have come to work. Here is my ticket.” 

“Green?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

‘ ‘ Here, Chunky, take this new hand alongside of 
you, and see that there is no skylarking.” 

The boy referred to as Chunky made no reply; but 
looked up from beside the long chute at which he was 
sitting, as if the task of breaking in a new hand was 
very welcome. A fat, good-natured fellow he appar- 
ently was, and Fred fancied he would be an agreeable 
task-master. 

He, like the others, was curious to know if his com- 
panion had been in a mine before, and on receiving the 
information, remarked sagely: 

“You’ll be mighty sick of the whole thing before 
night, but it’s safer than down in the galleries.” 

“What must I do?” 

“At seven o’clock the coal will be dumped in at the 
other end of the chute, an’ while it’s runnin’ past you 
must pick out the slate. ’ ’ 

“Is that all?” 

“By the time your hands are cut into mince- meat 
you’ll think it’s enough,” was the grim reply, and be- 
fore Fred could speak again the day’s labor had begun. 


lO 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


The black fragments came through the chute with a 
roar which was deafening, and the ‘ ‘ green hand ’ ’ was 
at a loss to distinguish coal from slate. 

‘ ‘ Take out the dull, grayish stuff, ’ ’ Chunky shouted, 
as he seized from the moving mass sufficient fragments 
to serve as specimens, and in a short time Fred began to 
have a general idea of his duties. 

Before the forty minutes ‘ ‘ nooning’ ’ had come 
around his hands were cut and bleeding; but the thought 
of his mother, who looked to him for support, was 
enough to keep him busily at work, and when the 
whistle sounded he had most assuredly earned half of 
the thirty-five cents. 

A short rest, a lunch eaten amid the sooty vapor, 
which caused one to fancy he was gazing through a veil 
whenever he glanced across the building, and then the 
fatiguing labor was recommenced, to be ended only at 
the stroke of six, when miners, buttys, mule drivers and 
bosses hastened to the surface of the earth once more 
after having been deprived of sunlight for nearly twelve 
hours. 

Without paying any especial attention to the fact, 
Fred noticed that although he was among the last to 
leave the breaker, the majority of the boys followed 
close behind as he started toward home. 

In order to reach the company’s store it was neces- 
sary to traverse a mirey road on which were no habita- 
tions for nearly fifty yards, and when Fred was half this 
distance from the breaker, a voice from behind shouted: 

“Hi! Hold on a bit, you new feller!’’ 

Fred turned to see a dozen of those who had been at 
work near him, advancing threateningly. 


THE breaker boy 


I 


“What do you want?” he asked, regretting now 
that he had not hurried on ahead as Chunky suggested 
shortly before the whistle sounded. 

“We’ve got a word to say, an’ you’re wanted very 
pertic’lar.” 

“ I can’t stop now.” 

“That’s too bad, for there’s a little business to be 
settled right away, ’ ’ and the largest of the party stepped 
so near in front of Fred that it would have been impos- 
sible for him to have advanced, except at the risk of an 
encounter. 

“Won’t it do just as well in the morning?” 

“I’m afraid not.” 

‘ ‘ But I promised to come straight home. ’ ’ 

“You can’t go till our ’count has been fixed.” 

‘ ‘ I don’t owe you anything. ’ ’ 

“Don’t eh?” 

“No. I never even saw one of your crowd until I 
came to work this morning.” 

“What of that?” 

‘ ‘ It shows there can be no account between us. ’ ’ 

“ You’re makin’ a big mistake, young feller. Ain’t 
this your first day in the breaker?” 

‘ ‘ Of course it is. ’ ’ 

“Then what about payin’ your footing?” 

“My footing?” 

‘ ‘ Every feller who comes here has got to make 
things square with us by standin’ treat. ’ ’ 

“ Well I’m one who can’^t do it.” 

“Oh, yes you can,” and here the bully looked at 
his companions, who echoed his words, crowding yet 


12 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


closer around Fred, until it was literally impossible for 
him to make the slightest movement. 

“I haven’t got a penny, and what I earn is for 
mother. ’ ’ 

“You can get an advance at the store.” 

“ Do you suppose I’ll run in debt for the purpose of 
treating you?” 

“That’s about the size of it.” 

“Then you’re making a big mistake, for I won’t do 
anything of the kind,” and Fred made one desperate at- 
tempt to force his way through the crowd. 

‘ ‘ Look out for him!” the leader shouted, as he struck 
Fred a blow on the cheek which would have sent him 
headlong but for the others who acted as a sort of 
brace. 

The new breaker boy was not disposed to submit 
tamely, and struck out blindly but vigorously drawing 
blood from more than one nose before borne to the earth 
by press of numbers. 

While he was thus helpless every fellow who could 
get near enough dealt him one or more blows, and not 
until they were tired of the sport did the young ruffians 
cease. 

“ Now let up,” the leader cried, in a tone of author- 
ity. “ He’s had a dose that shows what we can do, an’ 
will git it ten times as bad to-morrer, if he don’t come 
down with the treat.” 

The disciplining party ran swiftly toward the settle- 
ment when these words had been spoken, probably be- 
cause a dozen or more miners were approaching, and 
Fred was left to make his way home as best he could. 


the: br:^akkr boy 


13 


He had just staggered to his feet when the men ar- 
rived upon the scene; but no one paid any particular 
attention to him, save as one miner remarked with a 
laugh: 

I reckon here’s a lad who didn’t know the rules ; 
but it won’t take him long to find them out.” 

Fred was too sore both in mind and body to make 
any retort, and he limped down the road believing this 
first attempt to earn a living was already a dismal failure. 

He would have kept the story of the attack a secret 
from his mother, but for the marks of the conflict which 
could not be hidden, and when questioned represented 
the affair as of no especial importance. 

Mrs. Byram had a fairly good idea of the case, how- 
ever, when he said despondently : 

‘ ‘ I believe it would be better to try some other kind 
of work. Why can’t we go to the city?” 

‘ ‘ Because our capital is so limited. To come here 
it was only necessary to move our furniture three miles, 
and the promise of needle-work from the superinten- 
dent’s family assured us sufficient income to meet the 
absolute cost of living. But you need not go to the 
breaker again; it may be possible to find employment 
elsewhere. ’ ’ 

“There’s little chance of that in this town, mother,” 
Fred replied with a brave attempt at cheerfulness. ‘ ‘ I 
should be worse than a loafer to remain idle while you 
were working, and by keeping my eyes open that crowd 
can’t do very much mischief.” 

“Wouldn’t it be better to pay your ‘footing’ as 
they call it ? Once that has been done there can be no 
excuse for troubling you.” 


14 


DOWN Tim SDOPK 


“ I won't give them the value of a penny, and I’ll 
stick to my job. Perhaps, by flogging the bully I can 
teach them to let me alone. ’ ’ 

“ But you musn’t fight, Fred,” Mrs. Byram said, in 
alarm. 

‘ ‘ It’s better to have one regular battle than to get 
such a drubbing as this every night. If they make any 
more fuss I shall take care of myself.” 

Now that the first sense of injury had passed away, 
Fred felt as if he had been at fault to allow himself to 
be so easily overcome, and, distasteful as was the work 
in the breaker, he had fully resolved to remain and as- 
sert his rights in a manly way. 


CHAPTER II 

THK WARNING 

On the second morning Fred did not present himself 
at the dingy old building until nearly time for the 
whistle to sound, and those whom he had good cause to 
look upon as enemies were already at their places by the 
chute. 

‘ ‘ I heard some of the fellers served you out last 
night,” Chunky said, much as if such proceedings were 
a matter of course. 

“They’d better not try it on again,” Fred replied, 
in a tone of determination. 

“ Are you goin’ to fight?” 

“I’ll protect myself, if nothing more.” 

“ It won’t do any good to try.” 


THK WARNING 


15 


“Why not?” 

“ Because there are too many of ’em, an’ Skip Mil- 
ler can down any feller in this breaker. ’ ’ 

“Who is Skip Miller?” 

“The boss of the crowd who laid for you.” 

“Then I’ll settle matters with him, and when he 
gets the best of me it will be time to pay my footing; 
but not before. ’ ’ 

“ He’ll chew you all up.” 

“ I ain’t so sure of that. Did you know what they 
were going to do?” 

“ I had a mighty strong s’picion.” 

“ Why didn’t you tell me?” 

‘ Then I’d got a thumping. I wanted you to hurry 
out with me?” 

By this time the work had begun, and the noise was so 
great that conversation could be indulged in only at the 
expense of considerable shouting. Fred’s hands, sore 
from the previous day’s labor, were cut anew in many 
places, and more than one piece of slate was marked 
with his blood as he threw it among the refuse. 

The “gang,” as Fred termed his enemies, gave no 
sign of carrying the threat previously made into execu- 
tion. The watchful eyes of the breaker boss prevented 
them from idling, and nothing occurred to arouse the 
new boy’s suspicions until just before the noon-day 
whistle sounded, when a piece of board, thrown while 
Donovan was not looking, fell at Fred’s feet. 

At first he believed the intention was to hit him with 
the missile; but when the stream of coal ceased to flow 
through the chute, Chunky said as he picked up the 
board : 


i6 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“ The warnin’ has come.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

For reply Chunky handed his mate the piece of lum- 
ber on which was printed in scrawling characters with 
red chalk : 

“PAy OR Skip. 

WB MEAN BiSNKss. 

No SNKAkS Bo WED HEAR. 

ToNiTE iS THE BASt CHANcE. 

THE BREAkER REGulATERs.” 

“So they call themselves regulators, eh?” Fred 
said, half to himself, as he deciphered the message after 
considerable difficulty. 

“ That’s some of Skip’s doings. He’s started areg’- 
lar s’ciety, an’ fellers what don’t join have to step round 
mighty lively sometimes. ’ ’ 

“ Do you belong?” 

Chunkey hesitated an instant as if ashamed of the 
fact, and then replied : 

“ It don’t pay to keep out, ’cause they run things 
to suit therselves, an’ a feller can’t hold his job very 
long when they’re down on him.” 

“ According to that I shan’t be here a great while 
unless this command is obeyed ? ’ ’ 

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Why not come up 
with a little treat, an’ settle the whole thing that way? 
You can’t do anything by fightin’, for there are so 
many.” 

Fred hesitated an instant as if considering the mat- 
ter, and then replied angrily : 

“ I won’t be forced into anything of the kind ! If 


THE WARNING 


17 


you belong to the gang tell them that I shall protect 
myself the best I know how, and somebody will get 
hurt when there’s another row.” 

Chunky had an opportunity to repeat the message 
at once, for Fred had but just ceased speaking when 
Skip beckoned for him to come to the other side of the 
building, and a command from the chief of the regula- 
tors was not to be disobeyed with impunity. 

Fred was watching the movements of his enemies 
narrowly when Donovan approached on his way to the 
water casks. 

‘ ‘ Have the boys been tryin’ to make you pay your 
footing ? ’ ’ the breaker boss asked. 

“Yes, sir, and it looks as if they didn’t intend to 
let me stay very long,” Fred replied, as he held up the 
notification to quit. 

‘ ‘ What are you going to do about it ? ” and the man 
looked curiously at the boy. 

‘ ‘ Stay where I am until they get the upper hand. I 
can’t treat, for I haven’t the money, and I may be able 
to show that the regulators are not the bosses here.” 

“ I like your pluck, my lad, and can, perhaps, give 
you a lift. Skip shall have a flea in his ear before the 
whistle sounds again ; but, of course, it’s none of my 
business what happens after working hours. ’ ’ 

“I don’t expect any assistance, sir, and if they 
down me it can’t be helped.” 

“ You’ve taken a pretty big contract ; but between 
us both I reckon it can be carried out.” 

Then Donovan continued on, and, looking up, Fred 
saw that all his enemies had been watching the inter- 
view closely. 


i8 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


“They may conclude it isn’t best to tackle me, if he 
is going to take a hand,” he thought, and at this mo- 
ment Chunky returned. 

“ Now you have got yourself in a scrape! ” 

‘ ‘ How so ? ” 

“Skip and all the fellers saw you talkin’ to Dono- 
van, an’ they know you showed him the message from 
the regulators.” 

“What of that?” 

“ They don’t ’low anything of the kind, an’ you’ve 
got to take a thumpin’, even if you do treat.” 

“ So I’m to get a double dose, eh? ” 

“That’s about the size of it. Skip says you’ll be 
laid up for a week when the s’ciety gets through with 
you.” 

“I’m much obliged for the promise ; but don’t be- 
lieve quite all he says. ’ ’ 

Chunky shook his head as if to intimate that the 
case was a desperate one, and then the nooning had 
come to an end. The clouds of coal dust which had 
but just settled rose again as the machinery was put in 
motion, and all was activity once more. 

Although Fred had spoken so bravely he felt seri- 
ously disturbed, and during the remainder of the day 
his mind was fully occupied with thoughts of how he 
might successfully resist his enemies. 

When night came he had arrived at no satisfactory 
conclusion, and at the signal to cease work Chunky ran 
swiftly away thus showing that while he would not join 
with the society as against his mate, he did not intend 
to take sides with him. 

Donovan’s promise of assistance was not a vain one. 


THK WARNING 


19 


When Fred emerged from the breaker a few paces be- 
hind Chunky he saw the boss waiting for him, and the 
latter said in a friendly tone : 

“ It don’t do you much good to be seen talkin’ to 
me, for both men an’ boys hate what are called bosses’ 
pets ; but we’ll stave off this row till you get used to 
the ropes, when it’s a case of taking care of yourself.” 

Under the protection of Donovan, Fred walked to 
his home, feeling a bit ashamed of thus avoiding the 
meeting with the regulators, and more than one jeering 
cry did he hear before reaching the house. 

‘ ‘ Be careful of yourself now, ’ ’ Donovan said, as 
they arrived at the cottage. “This won’t make the 
lads any better disposed toward you, an’ it isn’t safe to 
move ’round very much in the dark.” 

“ I’ll come home alone to-morrow an’ have it out.” 

“Don’t be rash. Wait for a chance, an’ if Skip 
gets hurt pretty bad nobody here’ll feel sorry.” 

Then Fred entered the house, and after a bath, a hot 
supper, during which his mother spoke many encour- 
aging words, and a long consultation to his best course, 
he felt little fear of the regulators. 

Mrs. Byram had good news for her son. The wife 
of the superintendent had introduced her to several 
other ladies who promised to give her employment, and 
the prospect of earning money seemed better than was 
anticipated when the question of moving to the settle- 
ment had been under discussion. 

“We shall get along famously,” she said, “and, 
perhaps, it won’t be many months before it will be pos- 
sible to get enough ahead so we can venture to the city. 
I am going to open an account at the store in your 


20 


DOWN THE SIvOPB 


name, for what little cash we had is very nearly ex- 
hausted.” 

“When are you going? ” 

“ Now. I shall be busy to-morrow, and you must 
have a hearty supper. ’ ’ 

“I’ll go; the store isn’t the nicest place possible 
during the evening. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But the boys who are watching for you ? ’ ’ 

“They won’t dare to do anything when the men 
are around,” Fred replied, carelessly, and taking the 
memorandum which his mother had prepared, he left 
the house. 

The one street of the settlement was almost de- 
serted, for it was yet too early to see the toilers who 
would spend the short time of rest in the open air near 
the store, and Fred’s business was soon transacted. 
The desired credit was readily granted, and with his 
arms filled with packages he started toward home once 
more. 

For the first time in the past twenty-four hours he 
had forgotten the existence of the regulators, and the 
fact that Skip Miller with half a dozen companions was 
waiting for him never came into his mind until a hand 
was suddenly pressed over his mouth, as a hoarse voice 
whispered : 

“ Catch hold his legs an’ arms, fellers ! Never mind 
the stuff now. ’ ’ 

In a twinkling Fred was lifted from the ground by 
a boy at each limb, while the one who had spoken kept 
a firm hold upon his mouth, and in this fashion he was 
carried swiftly along in the direction of the breaker, as 
he thought. 


THK WARNING 


21 


“We’ll have to fetch them bundles so’s to make it 
look as if he fell in,” some one said, and a voice, which 
he recognized as Skip’s, replied : 

“That’s so. You fellers what ain’t doing anything 
pick ’em up.” 

“ Who’s got the rope? ” 

“I have.” 

“Why not throw him in an’ run the chances? It’s 
too bad to lose what cost half a dollar. ’ ’ 

“There’s time enough to fix that after we’ve got 
him to the shaft.” 

“Hold your tongues, or somebody will hear us!” 
Skip whispered, angrily, as his companions thus dis- 
cussed the preliminaries. 

Then came a long time of silence broken by the foot- 
steps of the party, or the loud breathing of those who 
were carrying the burden. 

Several times Fred tried to give an alarm ; but his 
mouth was held so firmly that not a sound could escape 
his lips, and after a while he contented himself with 
simply trying to form some idea of the direction in 
which he was being taken. 

When the party had carried him for ten or fifteen 
minutes a halt was made, and then his captors took the 
precaution of enveloping his head in a coat, which shut 
out every sound, save the loudly uttered remarks of the 
regulators. 

He heard Skip berating one of the party, because 
some reference was made to their destination, and then 
ensued a noisy discussion as to what should be done 
with him. 

“ If he don’t turn up to-morrer mornin’ old Dono- 


22 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


van will swear we took him off, an’ there’ll be a heap 
of trouble for all hands,” one of the boys suggested. 

“What of that? Nobody can say we did it, an’ 
after he’s had one night of it, I reckon he’ll be willin’ 
to do as we say. ’ ’ 

“ But how’ll he get out? ” 

“That’s for him to say. We’ll show him what 
it is to go agin our crowd, an’ the rest is his busi- 
ness. ’ ’ 

Then Fred was borne forward again until it seemed 
as if fully half a mile had been traversed, when the 
regulators halted for the second time. 

The wrappings were removed from his head, and as 
nearly as the prisoner could tell he was some distance 
from the breaker ; at the mouth of what appeared to be 
an abandoned shaft. 

“ Now, look here,” Skip Miller said, as he stood be- 
fore his prisoner. You’ve taken it into your head that 
us reg’lators don’t ’mount to nothin’; but by to-morrer 
mornin’ you’ll think different. What we say we mean 
an’ don’t you forget it. If you’d been man enough to 
do like every other feller it would ’a been all right ; but 
instead of that you go babyin’ to old Donovan, an’ we 
don’t ’low sich funny business.” 

‘ ‘ What are you going to do now ? ’ ’ 

“ Show what the reg’lators ’mount to. When you 
come out of this I reckon you’ll be willin’ to pay up 
like a man, an’ join us.” 

“It will have to be a pretty stiff dose to make me do 
anything of the kind,” Fred said, angrily. 

“That’s jest what this is goin’ to be. We’re lettin’ 
you off of a poundin’ so’s to show what can be done, an’ 




Raise him up!” Skip shouted, and in another instant Fred was suspended over the old shaft. 


THK WARNING 


23 


if you say so much as a word to old Donovan we’ll 
pretty near kill you.” 

‘ ‘ I shall talk to whoever I please. ’ ’ 

“ Not after you come out of this. Don’t think we’ll 
allers let you off so cheap, an’ at the first show of 
tellin’ what’s been done to-night we’ll give you another 
lesson. ’ ’ 

Fred realized that it was useless to bandy words with 
those who held him so completely in their power, and 
understanding also that he could do nothing to better 
his condition, held his peace. 

Skip showed himself to be an adept in the business 
of subduing refractory breaker boys, by giving his or- 
ders promptl}^ and in such a manner as would soonest 
accomplish the work. Under his energetic directions 
Fred’s hands were soon tied behind his back, a gag was 
fastened in his mouth, and the rope placed under his 
arms. 

“Now raise him up, an’ you needn’t be careful about 
lettin’ him drop. The sooner he gets to the bottom the 
quicker we can go back to the store. Put the bundles 
near the mouth of the shaft, an’ in a couple of days 
somebody will find him.” 

“It’ll go rough with us if he tells who left him 
here,” one of the party suggested. 

“ There’s no danger of that. Before he gets out he’ll 
know what it means to fool with us. ’ ’ 

Fred remained passive. He could not believe these 
boys would dare to do anything very serious. And to 
attempt resistance would accomplish no possible good. 

“Raise him up!” Skip shouted, and in another in- 
stant Fred was hanging over what appeared to be a 


24 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


deep hole, to be dropped with a suddenness and force 
which, for the time being, deprived him of conscious- 
ness. 

While he lay at the bottom of the shaft the regula- 
tors placed the parcels taken from the store, in such a 
manner as to make it appear that he had fallen in by 
accident, and when this had been done they went 
swiftly toward the settlement, regardless of whether 
their victim lived or died. 


CHAPTER III 

IN THE SHAFT 

Mrs. Byram had no suspicion that her son might 
be exposed to any danger until after he had been absent 
an hour, and then the remembrance of the threats made 
by Skip Miller and his friends caused her the deepest 
anxiety. Fred would not have staid at the store longer 
than was absolutely necessary, and the fear of foul play 
had hardly gained possession of her mind before she 
was on her way to search for him. 

The company’s clerk had but just finished explain- 
ing that the new breaker boy left there with his pur- 
chases some time previous, when Donovan entered in 
time to hear the widow say: 

“ I do not understand why he should remain away 
so long, for he must know I would be troubled con- 
cerning him. ’ ’ 

“ Didn’t your boy stay in the house after I left him 
at the gate, Mrs. Byram? ” the breaker boss asked. 


IN THK SHAFT 


25 


Mrs. Byram explain^ why Fred ventured out, and 
the man appeared to be disturbed in mind. 

“This is just the time when he oughter kept his 
nose inside. Them young ruffians are likely to do any 
mischief. ’ ’ 

“Then you believe something serious has hap- 
pened. ’ ’ 

“I didn’t say quite that; but it won’t do much 
harm to have a look for him. You go home, an’ I’ll 
call there in an hour.’’ Then turning to some of the 
loungers, he asked, ‘ ‘ Has anybody seen Skip Miller 
lately?’’ 

“You’re allers tryin’ to make out that he’s at the 
bottom of everything that goes wrong, ’ ’ Skip’ s father, 
who entered at this moment, said in a surly tone. 

“If he ain’t, it’s not for lack of willingness. Do 
you know where he is ? ’ ’ 

“ Home, wffiere he’s been for an hour or more.’’ 

Donovan looked hard at the speaker, and Miller re- 
torted : 

“ If you don’t believe me, it won’t take long to find 
out for yourself. ’ ’ 

“ That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Mrs. By- 
ram, I will see you again in less than an hour.’’ 

With these words the breaker boss left the store, and 
Fred’s mother walked slowly home, the anxiety in her 
heart growing more intense each moment. 

Two hours passed before Donovan returned and an- 
nounced his inability to find the missing boy. 

“ I did think Skip might have had a hand in it,’’ 
he said; “but I reckon he’s innocent this time. I 
found him near his own home with a crowd of cronies. 


26 


DOWN THK SLOPK 


and according to all accounts he’s been there since 
supper. ’ ’ 

“But what has become of Fred?’’ Mrs. Byram 
asked, preserving a semblance of calmness only after 
the greatest difficulty. 

‘ ‘ I hope nothing serious has happened. The super- 
intendent has been notified, and promises to send men 
out in search of him at once. It is just possible he 
went down the slope to see the night shift at work. ’ ’ 

There was nothing in these words to afford the dis- 
tressed mother any relief, and the sorrow which would 
not be controlled took complete possession of her, as 
Donovan hurried away to join those who were examin- 
ing every place where an accident might have occurred. 

Meanwhile the subject of all this commotion re- 
mained where the regulators had left him. It was a 
long time before he recovered consciousness, and then 
several moments were spent in trying to decide where 
he was and what had happened. 

The fragments of conversation heard while the boys 
were carrying him told that he was in an abandoned 
shaft, and, unacquainted though he was with mines in 
general, it did not require much thought to convince 
him how nearly impossible it would be to escape un- 
aided. 

The bonds which fastened his limbs, as well as the 
gag, had not been tied firmly, and in a short time he 
was free to begin such an examination of the place as 
was possible in the profound darkness. 

Here and there he could feel the timbers left when 
the shaft was deserted, and, after groping about some 
moments, discovered a tunnel-like opening ten or twelve 


IN THE SHAFT 


27 


feet across. The roof or top of this place was beyond 
his reach, and he knew it must be a drift from which 
all the coal had been taken. 

“ It may lead for miles under the hill, and I would 
be no better off by following it,” he thought. “Unless 
there is a slope which communicates with it, I’d be in 
a worse fix than now, because the chances of being lost 
or suffocated must be about even. ’ ’ 

Then in his despair he shouted at the full strength 
of his lungs, until it was impossible to speak louder 
than a whisper. 

Nothing less than the booming of a cannon could 
have been heard from the shaft by any one in the set- 
tlement, and with the night shift in the working mine 
there would hardly be any one in the vicinity. 

After giving full sway to his grief for half an hour 
or more, anger replaced sorrow, and he rushed into the 
tunnel with no other thought than to escape from that 
particular place. 

Stumbling on over decaying timbers, rocks, and 
mounds of earth which had fallen from the roof, he 
pushed straight ahead until the decided inclination told 
that this drift tended upward. There was now reason 
to believe it might communicate with another which, in 
turn, was reached by a slope, and hope grew strong 
once more. 

How long he had traveled when the sound of voices 
caused him to halt it was impossible to form any idea; 
but it seemed as if several hours elapsed, and the first 
thought was to shout for help. 

“ I won’t do it,” he said, checking himself. “This 
tunnel may have led me back to the other mine, and if 


28 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


the people ahead are some of the night shift they’ll be 
likely to have considerable sport at my expense. ’ ’ 

Walking cautiously in the direction of the voices he 
was suddenly brought to a standstill by an apparently 
solid wall of earth. 

He groped around until there was no question but 
that he had reached the end of the drift, and when this 
discovery had been made he found a small aperture 
which opened into a gallery or chamber where were a 
dozen men, the lamps in their hats illumining the place 
sufficiently for Fred to distinguish the party. 

He had reached the limit of the abandoned drift, 
and was looking in upon a portion of the new mine. 

Even now he made no appeal for help. The conver- 
sation of the men caused him to listen with no thought 
of his own condition. 

“ Unless we do the job to-morrow night there’s little 
chance of gettin’ through with it all right,” one of the 
party was saying, and another replied with an oath : 

“There’s no reason why we should wait. To-night 
would suit me. ’ ’ 

“ I don’t believe in it,” a third man said. “ What’s 
to be gained by floodin’ the mine, an’ turnin’ ourselves 
out of a chance to earn a living ? ’ ’ 

“You allers was chicken-hearted, Joe Brace. 
Haven’t we put up with enough from the mine owners 
an’ bosses ? We work for starvation wages, while they 
can barrel money.” 

“Would you say that if you hadn’t been thrown 
out of a job?” 

“That’s my business. Here’s a crowd of us who 
have sworn to stick together, no matter what happens. 


IN THK SHAFT 


29 


an’ five have been warned out. Are we goin’ peace- 
able, not liftin’ a finger agin them as have got rich 
while we starved ? ’ ’ 

“But how are we helpin’ ourselves by floodin’ the 
mine ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Three or four of sich bosses as Donovan may be 
in the drift when with one stroke of a pick I let the 
water into the lower level, and that’ll show the others 
we’re men, even if they do treat us like brutes.’’ 

“You will drown some of your own mates.’’ 

‘ ‘ Them as are on the level must take their chances. ’ ’ 

“It’s murder, that’s what it is, an’ I’ll have none 
of it ! ’’ Brace cried, as he leaped to his feet, and in an- 
other instant the whole party were facing him who 
dared dispute their right to do wrong. 

For some moments our hero could not distinguish a 
word, so great was the confusion ; but when the tumult 
subsided in a measure two men were holding Brace, 
while he who appeared to be leader stood before him in 
a threatening attitude. 

“You’ve sworn to go with the crowd, and know the 
penalty for traitors. ’ ’ 

“ I know that I’ll blow the whole business if I get 
the chance. I’ve got a brother in the lower level ; do 
you think I’ll stand by while he is bein’ murdered? ’’ 

“ Better do that than turn agin us. We’ll give you 
one chance ; swear to hold your tongue, an’ we’ll do no 
more than make sure you can’t betray us.” 

“ An’ if I don’t choose to swear?” 

“Then we’ll leave you here lashed hand an’ foot. 
When the mine is flooded this drift will be cut off, an’ 
it don’t need a lawyer to say what’ll happen then.” 


30 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“So to Spite them as have done you a bad turn 
you’re willin’ to murder me?’’ 

“ That’s about the size of it.” 

‘ ‘ Listen to me, Cale Billings. I promised to stand 
by you fellers when the agreement was to help each 
other agin the bosses ; but now it’s murder you mean. 
I’d rather be on the lower level when the deed is done 
than have part or parcel with them as are willin’ to 
make widows an’ orphans. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Then we know what to do, ” Billings cried angrily, 
as he rushed toward Brace, and for several moments 
Fred had only a confused idea of what was taking 
place. 

Brace was fighting against the entire party, and, 
under such circumstances, the struggle could not be 
prolonged. 

When the watcher could next distinguish the occu- 
pants of the chamber Brace laid on his back bound hand 
and foot, while the others were on the point of depart- 
ure. 

Billings remained behind his companions to say : 

“ We gave you all the chance we could, an’ now it’s 
only yourself you’ve got to thank for what’ll happen 
before forty-eight hours go by.” 

“I’d die twice over rather than put the stain of 
blood on my hands.” 

“Well, you’ve got the chance to try it once, an’ I 
reckon you’ll wish things was different before long. 
We’ll take good care nobody comes this way too soon.” 

Then the party filed out of the room, one or two 
glancing back with undisguised pity, and as they passed 
along the drift the place was wrapped in profound dark- 


IN THE SHAFT 


31 


ness, with nothing to break the silence save the doomed 
man’s heavy breathing. 

Fred waited until believing the would-be murderers 
were beyond the sound of his voice, and then he called 
softly : 

‘ ‘ Brace ! Brace ! ” 

“Who’s there?’’ 

“A breaker boy who came into the mine yester- 
day. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Where are you ? ’ ’ 

Fred explained to the best of his ability, and added : 

‘ ‘ Do you know of any way I can get out of here ? ’ ’ 

“ No ; that part of the mine has been closed a good 
many years, an’ it would take a week to work up 
through the old slope. Before then the water on the 
lower level is bound to flood this end of the workings. ’ ’ 

“And we shall be drowned.’’ 

“ I don’t see any help for it.’’ 

“ But we can’t stay here and be killed ! ’’ Fred cried 
in an agony of fear. 

“It’s tough, but there’s no way out of it unless 


“What? Speak quickly, for time mustn’t be lost 
if we’re to do anything toward helping ourselves.’’ 

‘ ‘ How large a cut is there through the wall where 
you are standing?’’ 

“It’s only a small one — perhaps four or five inches 
across. ’ ’ 

“Couldn’t you make it large enough to crawl 
through ? ’ ’ 

“ It wouldn’t take long if I had a shovel ; but with- 
out one it will be hard.’’ 


32 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


“Set about it, lad; work is better than idleness 
when a fellow is in this kind of a scrape.” 

Fred obeyed instantly, tearing away the earth re- 
gardless of the injury done his hands ; but making very 
slow progress. The wall was composed of slate and 
gravel, and a pick would have been necessary to effect 
a speedy entrance. 

Meanwhile Brace strove to cheer the boy by talking 
of the possibility that they might yet escape, and hour 
after hour Fred continued at the task until the moment 
arrived when it was possible, by dint of much squeez- 
ing, to make his way through the aperture. 

‘ ‘ Do you think it is near the time when the men are 
to flood the mine ? ” he asked, groping around until his 
outstretched hands touched Brace’s prostrate body, 
when he began feverishly to untie the ropes. 

“ No, lad, we must have half a dozen hours before 
us.” 

“Then we are all right!” Fred cried joyfully. 
“You know the way out, and Billings’ plot can be 
made known in time to prevent the mischief.” 

“Don’t fool yourself with the idea that matters have 
been straightened because I’m free,” Brace replied, as 
he rose to his feet when Fred’s task had been flnished. 

‘ ‘ But what is to prevent our leaving here ? ’ ’ 

“ Did you catch what Billings said when he left? ” 

“Yes.” 

“Then there’s no need of sayin’ anything more. 
Some of the murderin’ crowd will be on guard at the 
entrance to the drift, and, knowing what we do of their 
plans, every means will be used to prevent our ever see- 
ing daylight again.” 


THK BARRIER 


33 


“ Don’t you intend to do anything toward trying to 
escape ? ’ ’ 

“ Of course. I’m not quite a fool.” 

“Shall you go back with me, or try to find the 
shaft?” 

“That , would be useless. We will go straight 
through this drift.” 

‘ ‘ But if Billings’ crowd are watching for you ? ’ ’ 

“It’s simply a case of fighting for life. There ain’t 
much hope of overpowerin’ them; the job will be 
child’s play compared with tryin’ to hold our own agin 
the flood that’s sure to come soon.” 

Brace groped around for something which would 
serve as a weapon, but finding nothing, he said grimly: 

“ We’ll have to go as we are, lad, an’ remember that 
if we don’t get through the drift you’ll never see the 
breaker again.” 


CHAPTER IV 

THE BARRIER 

Brace did not so much as ask if Fred was willing 
to join him in the struggle which must surely ensue, if 
they met those who intended to work such great injury 
to the mine. He walked straight on without speaking 
until five minutes had elapsed, and then said in a 
whisper : 

“ It wouldn’t be safe for any of that crowd to be 
found loafin’ near the entrance to the drift, so we may 
expect to run across them before long. If they get the 

3 


34 


DOWN THK SIvOPK 


best of me, an’ you can slip past while they are doin’ it, 
don’t wait, but make the most of your time.” 

” I wouldn’t leave you to fight alone.” 

‘ ‘ Why not ? My life don’ t count for anything when 
there are so many to be saved. Run if you can, and 
tell what Billings intends to do. The superintendent is 
the one who should hear it first, but if the time is short 
speak to any of the bosses.” 

Up to this moment Fred had thought only that he 
and Brace might insure their own safety ; but now per- 
sonal welfare seemed insignificant as compared with 
what might be done for others. 

Following closely behind Brace, that there might be 
no possibility of an involuntary separation, he walked 
on in silence until the leader suddenly halted with a cry 
of dismay. 

“What’s the matter? ” Fred whispered. 

“The villains have taken good care we sha’n’t es- 
cape. The drift has been filled up this side of the 
doors. ’ ’ 

“Can’t we dig our way through? They haven’t 
had time to bring much stuff in here. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ More than likely two or three loads of coal have 
been dumped, and then the doors were fastened. The 
drift has been worked out, and none of the bosses would 
come here in time to suspect mischief. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What can we do ? ” 

“ Wait a bit till I make sure what’s before us.” 

Brace clambered upon the barrier, assured himself 
there was too much to be removed in the limited time 
at their disposal, and then came back to where Fred 
was waiting in painful suspense. 


THK BARRIER 


35 


“ It must be the old shaft or nothing. Walk fast 
now for the minutes are going mighty quick.” 

Alone, Fred would have had difficulty in retracing 
his steps, but Brace pushed forward as if it was possible 
to see every foot of the way, and when the chamber was 
reached immediately began forcing his body through the 
aperture which had seemed hardly large enough for 
Fred. 

Neither gave any heed to possible injuries, and the 
man’s clothes were in tatters when they emerged on the 
opposite side of the wall to make their way with all 
speed along the tunnel. 

For a while the inclination of the path told Fred the 
proper direction was being pursued, and then it seemed 
as if they traveled an unusually long time over a road 
which appeared to be perfectly level. 

‘ ‘ Are you sure we are right ? ” he asked at length, 
seizing Brace by the arm to force him to halt. 

“ I don’t know anything about it. This part of the 
mine was closed before I ever heard of such a place as 
Farley’s.” 

‘ ‘ We should have continued going down hill until 
the shaft was gained.” 

“Then we are off the track sure; but it can’t be 
helped now, and there is little chance of finding our way 
back. The air isn’t bad, and we’ll keep on ; it may be 
there is another slope beside the one about which I have 
heard.” 

“We must be on the lower level. ’ ’ 

“ I reckon we are.” 

“And it can’t be long before Billings will do as he 
threatened. ’ 


36 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


‘^You’re right.” 

‘ ‘ Then we are certain to be drowned unless we can 
find a higher drift. ’ ’ 

” Yes, an’ it’ll be a clear case of luck if we strike 
one. Don’t stop to talk now. We must go at full 
speed while the air is good.” 

Seizing Fred by the hand, Brace started once more, 
and for the time being both forgot fatigue in this struggle 
for life. On with feverish energy they pressed, yet no 
glimmer of light broke the profound darkness. More 
than once each fell over the litter of timbers, but only 
to rise and struggle on again, until finally Brace halted. 

” It’s no use,” he said with a moan. ” Each step 
now is carrying us lower. I remember hearing some of 
the old hands say the abandoned drifts were a hundred 
feet or so farther down the hill. We must be consider- 
ably below the deepest shaft.” 

“Have you given up all hope?” Fred asked in a 
whisper, for while surrounded by the dense blackness 
the full tones of his voice sounded fearsome. 

‘ ‘ Ay, lad, all hope. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Try once more. There surely is a way out if we 
could only strike it ! ” 

“We may as well meet the water here. I’ve been 
in the mines long enough to know that this runnin’ at 
random is worse than standin’ quiet. When a man’s 
time has come there’s no use to fight.” 

Fred could not urge him farther. The numbness of 
fear was upon him, brought by this sudden surrender of 
the man whom he had believed would be able to extri- 
cate them from the precarious position, and now he 
thought only of his mother. 


THE BARRIER 


37 


How long the two remained there silent and motion- 
less neither ever knew. To Fred it seemed as if hours 
passed before Brace seized him by the arm as he cried at 
the full strength of his lungs : 

“Hello! Mate! This way ! ” 

Then he ran forward at full speed, dragging Fred 
with him, and shouting like an insane man all the while 
until finally the boy could see a tiny spark of light far 
in the distance. 

“ It’s some one looking for us,” Fred cried. 

“ Whether he’s come for us, or is on business of his 
own, matters little since his light is burning.” 

Then, as Brace ceased speaking, Fred heard a famil- 
iar voice shouting, and an instant later Sam Thorpe had 
grasped him by the hand. 

“Why, it’s Bill’s butty! What are you doing 
here?” 

‘ ‘ I came to look for the new breaker boy ; I 
thought Skip’s crowd had done him some mischief.” 

“So they did, an’ another set of scoundrels would 
have drowned us all out but for your coming. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What do you mean ? ’ ’ 

“There’s no time for talkin’ now. How did you 
get here? ” 

‘ ‘ By an old slope that I stumbled across the other 
day. I found Fred’s bundles near the shaft, and be- 
lieved he had been let down there. ’ ’ 

“ Go on the best you know how ; I’ll give you a bit 
of an idea about ourselves while we’re walking.” 

The gleam of the lamp Sam wore in his cap was suf- 
ficient to show the way, and by the time the entrance 


38 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


to the slope had been reached the butty boy knew the 
whole story. 

‘ ‘ Billings’ gang won’t be able to do anything till after 
the day shift go on, an’ I think it would be a good idea 
to let the superintendent know what has happened. 
Why not stay here till I tell him part of the story ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Go ahead, ’ ’ Brace replied. “We’ll wait for you. ’ ’ 

“ Will you tell my mother that I am all right ? ’ ’ 
Fred asked. 

“She shall hear of it first,” Sam said, as he stole 
out into the open air, as if fearful of being seen. 

“Why didn’t we go with him?” Fred asked when 
he was alone with Brace. 

‘ ‘ Because nobod}" know"s how far the plan to flood 
the mine may have gone, and by showing ourselves the 
villains may begin the job too soon to be prevented.” 

It was yet dark. Instead of having been imprisoned 
in the tunnels twenty-four hours, as Fred had believed, 
less than eight were passed there. 

That Mr. Wright believed the news Sam brought to 
be of vital importance was shown by his coming with 
the boy with the utmost speed, and on entering the 
shaft he said to Brace : 

‘ ‘ Tell me all you know about the plan to flood the 
mine.” 

The story was given in detail, and at its conclusion 
Mr. Wright asked : 

‘ ‘ How do you happen to know so much about this 
thing?” 

‘ ‘ Because I belonged to the party till I found they 
meant murder.” 


THE BARRIER 


39 


‘ ‘ Are you acquainted with all the members ? ’ ’ 

“ No, sir ; wasn’t allowed. Billings allers let us un- 
derstand there was a big crowd, but wouldn’t let any 
besides the officers know about it ; he said the men 
might give themselves away by talkin’ if they found 
who was members.” 

“ Why do they wish to throw all hands out of em- 
ployment by flooding the mine ? ’ ’ 

“ Some of the bosses are too hard on ’em, sir, an’ a 
good many think it’s like sellin’ theirselves to deal at 
the company store.” 

‘ ‘ They should have come to me with their griev- 
ances ; but it is too late to talk of that now, and imme- 
diate steps must be taken to prevent the mischief. It 
won’t be policy for you to show yourself until my plans 
have been perfected, otherwise they would take alarm. 
The boy can go home, and I want him to be in the 
breaker this morning as if nothing had happened. 
Where can you remain in hiding for a few days ? ’ ’ 

” I don’t know, sir, unless I leave town.” 

” That will not do, for I may wish to talk with you 
again.” 

” He can come with me, ’ ’ Fred said quickly. ” We 
do not know' any one here, and there’s mo danger of his 
being discovered. ’ ’ 

” It’s a good idea. Go with the boy. Brace, and I 
can let you know when it will be safe to venture out.” 

“Very well, sir; but don’t deal harshly with Bil- 
lings’ crowd. They’ve tried to do me the most harm 
one man can work another ; but yet, for the sake of 
their wives an’ children, I’d not feel easy in mind if 
they was turned away without warning.” 


40 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


‘ ‘ I promise to be as lenient as is consistent with the 
safety of others,” Mr. Wright replied, as Fred and the 
miner left the slope, walking rapidly lest they should 
be observed, and a few moments later Mrs. Byram was 
clasping to her bosom the son whom she had feared was 
lost to her forever on this earth. 

It was not long that Fred could remain at home. 
He had promised to go to the breaker, and after he and 
Brace partook of a hearty meal, at the conclusion of 
which the latter was shown to a room where there 
was no chance of his being seen, he started out, with 
the promise ' to his mother that he would be very 
careful. 

By some channel of information the news had been 
spread that the missing boy returned home during 
the night, and no one paid any particular attention to 
him as he walked down the street, but on entering the 
breaker Skip Miller and his friends were decidedly dis- 
turbed. The leader of the regulators glanced from 
Fred to Donovan, as if expecting he would be called 
upon to give an account of his misdeeds ; but Chunky, 
who had evidently not been let into the secret, greeted 
his mate as if the latter’s return was something he had 
expected. 

” Where was you last night ? ” he asked. 

” I went out near the old shaft,” Fred replied, and 
Skip, who overheard the words, appeared to be very 
much relieved. 

” I thought you’d run away.” 

‘ ‘ Why should I do anything like that ? ’ ’ 

” I dunno, ’cept that you wanted to get clear of the 
thumpin’ that the regulators promised.” 


THE MOB 


41 


“I’m not such a fool as that,” Fred replied care- 
lessly, and then the outpouring of coal put an end to 
further conversation. 


CHAPTER V 

THE MOB 

Fred could not prevent himself from glancing now 
and then in the direction of v^kip Miller and his friends 
during the forenoon, and on each occasion he found 
one or more of the party gazing at him as if in wonder- 
ment. They failed to understand how he succeeded in 
leaving the shaft, and this surprise was less than that 
called forth by the fact of his remaining silent regard- 
ing their ill-treatment. 

One, two, three hours passed much as usual, and 
then something happened which caused the oldest 
worker in the mines unbounded astonishment. 

The machinery suddenly stopped, and from all the 
bosses came the orders that every laborer should return 
home without delay. 

No explanations were given, and when the vast 
army were on the outside they stood in groups around 
the works discussing the cause of this very strange 
state of affairs. 

“I never knew anything like this to happen at 
Farley’s before,” an old miner said. 

“And they don’t even tell us why we are cheated out 
of a day’s work.” 

“The engineer says there is nothing the matter 
with the machinery.” 


42 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“Yes, an’ he, like us, has been ordered to go 
home. ’ ’ 

These and a dozen other remarks Fred heard as he 
left the breaker, and while loitering for an instant to 
learn if any one suspected the true state of affairs he 
became conscious that Skip and his friends were regard- 
ing him with mingled anger and consternation written 
on their faces. 

“You’d better get out of here, or there may be 
trouble,’’ Chunky whispered. 

“Why?’’ 

‘ ‘ ’ Cause Skip has got plenty of time now to serve 
you out, an’ he looks like somethin’ was goin’ to be 
done. ’ ’ 

“ He’d better not try any more games. I can take 
care of myself in the daylight. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What do you mean ? Did he do somethin’ last 
night ? ’ ’ 

Before Fred could reply the captain of the regulators 
came up, and Chunky lost no time in moving away 
from this very important personage. 

“ Say,’’ Skip began, as he stepped threateningly in 
front of Fred, “ what’s the meanin’ of all this? ” 

‘ ‘ Do you mean the shutting down of the machinery?’ ’ 

“ Of course I do.’’ 

‘ ‘ Why should I know anything about it ? ” 

“Don’t try to play off innocent to me. You’ve 
been blowin’ about what the regulators did, an’ that’s 
why all hands can suck their thumbs to-day. ’ ’ 

“Don’t you think that is a foolish idea ? ” Fred 
asked, with a feeble effort at a smile. “ Do you fancy 
you, the regulators, or I, are so important that the 


THK MOB 


43 


whole force is laid off because of anything which may 
have happened between us ? ” 

Skip was staggered by this reply, and after thinking 
the matter over for a moment, he said in a surly tone: 

“All I’ve got to say is that things will be too hot for 
you in this town, if a word is told about what was done 
last night. 

“You said pretty near the same before throwing me 
down the shaft. ’ ’ 

“Well, I’m say in’ it again, for it stands you in 
hand to remember it.” 

“ I won’t forget.” 

Skip turned quickly as if the tone offended him, 
and after glaring fiercely at the breaker boy, walked 
slowly toward his friends. 

“What’s in the wind now? Is he making any 
more threats ? ’ ’ 

Ivooking around quickly Fred saw Sam Thorpe, who 
had just come up the slope with Bill Thomas. 

‘ ‘ Skip is afraid the shutting down has some connec- 
tion with the doings of the regulators. Isn’t it queer 
to stop the machinery so soon when Mr. Wright was 
anxious to keep everything a secret ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I heard him say that the pumps were out of order. 
One set got choked this morning, and it wouldn’t be 
safe for the miners to stay in the lower level till they 
were repaired.” 

Sam winked meaningly as if he thought the matter 
had been arranged very skillfully; but Fred was yet at 
a loss to understand how anything could be gained by 
this move. 

‘ ‘ Why were all hands thrown out ? ’ ’ 


44 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


‘ ‘ There are some general repairs to be made, and it 
was better to do the whole at the same time. ’ ’ 

“Then there’s no reason why Brace should hide any 
longer. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ He mustn’t so much as show his nose. Come over 
by the slope and watch Billings and his crowd. They 
are in a peck of trouble, expecting that Brace will be 
found, and since no one is allowed to enter the mine 
matters begin to look tough for them. ’ ' 

Fred followed his friend and saw those who had 
intended to cause a terrible disaster clustered around the 
mouth of the slope in a feverish state of excitement. 

‘ ‘ This is a nice way to treat honest men, ’ ’ Billings 
was saying as the two approached. ‘ ‘ We work for 
starvation wages, an’ then get laid off whenever the 
bosses like, without so much as a notice. It’s time we 
did something to show we’re men.” 

“I’m told the pumps are choked, ’ ’ an old miner said, 
“ an’ if that’s the case Mr. Wright oughter shut down. 
Farley’s never has had a very good name ; but one or 
two stoppages like this’ll show it’s worked on the 
square. ’ ’ 

“What a fool you are!” Billings cried angrily. 
“ Haven’t you got sense enough to see that this thing 
has been done so’s we’ll run deeper in debt at the store, 
an’ have to submit to a cut down when Wright gets 
ready to put the screws on ? ” 

Several of the bystanders loudly expressed their 
belief in the correctness of Billings’ theory, and instantly 
the greatest excitement prevailed. The group increased 
in numbers each moment, and Billings took upon him- 
self the office of spokesman. 


THK MOB 


45 


One proposed they march in a body to the superin- 
tendent’s house and demand that the machinery be 
started again. Another insisted on forcing their way 
into the mine to ascertain the true cause of the stoppage, 
and in this last speaker Fred recognized one of the men 
who had helped make Joe Brace a prisoner. 

“They want to find him before Mr. Wright orders 
an examination,” he whispered to Sam, and the latter 
replied : 

“In less than an hour they’ll have force enough to 
do as they please. It’s time we were out of this; you 
go home to tell Joe, and I’ll see Mr. Wright if pos- 
sible. ’ ’ 

Fred was all the more willing to follow this advice 
because Skip and his party were in the immediate 
vicinity, and the lawlessness of the men might render 
them bold enough to administer the promised flogging 
then and there. 

The streets of the little town were crowded with 
knots of miners, some of whom seemed to think the 
superintendent had acted for their good, while others 
were indulging in the most extravagant threats. 

Mrs. Byram was standing in the doorway when her 
son arrived, and it could readily be seen by her face 
how relieved she was to have him with her once more. 

“You mustn’t leave the house again to-day,” she 
said in a tremulous voice. “Go up stairs and tell Mr. 
Brace what has happened. ’ ’ 

The miner was impatient to learn the cause of the 
excitement, for he could hear the hum of voices on 
the street ; but did not care to look out of the window 
for fear of being seen. 


46 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


Fred’s story was not a long one, and he had to 
repeat it several times before Brace was satisfied. 

“I s’ pose Wright knows his own business best; 
but it looks mighty dangerous to shut down so sud- 
den.” 

‘ ‘ Perhaps it was the only course to pursue, ’ ’ Fred 
suggested. ‘ ‘ Billings’ crowd may have been so near 
carrying their plot into operation that there was no time 
for anything different.” 

“That might be; but take my word for it, there’s 
going to be trouble at Farley’s before this fuss is 
settled.” 

‘ ‘ Do you think Billings would dare to force his way 
into the mine ? ’ ’ 

“He’d dare do anything with men enough at his 
back.” 

” Suppose they got in and didn’t find you? ” 

” I ain’t thinkin’ of myself, for it would be easy to 
get out of town.” 

” If they have an idea you’ve escaped from the drift 
all hands will be on the watch, knowing you could 
expose their plot.” 

“Eveiy^thing is qprrect so long as they don’t find 
out where I am, an’ when it’s time to move I’ll agree 
to give ’em the slip. Go down stairs so you can see if 
the trouble is about to begin.” 

Before Fred could obey, Sam Thorpe burst into the 
room. 

” There’s a regular mob on the way to Mr. Wright’s 
house. They threaten to burn it if the works are not 
opened in an hour. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Where is the superintendent ? ’ ’ Brace asked. 


THE MOB 


47 


“In the mine I think ; he’s not at home, for I just 
came from there.’’ 

“ Is Billings leadin’ them?” 

“Yes.’’ 

“ How many of the company’s men are on guard at 
the slope ? ’ ’ 

“About a dozen.’’ 

‘ ‘ Who are they ? ’ ’ 

Sam repeated the names, and Brace said musingly : 

‘ ‘ There are one or two that I ’ m doubtful of. They’ ve 
been too thick lately with Billings.’’ 

“ It can’t be helped now, for Mr. Wright wouldn’t 
dare show himself long enough to make any change. ’ ’ 

At this moment a loud cry from the street caused 
the boys to run quickly down the stairs, and Brace ven- 
tured to look out from between the folds of the curtain. 

The mob, in a spirit of bravado and to gain recruits, 
were parading the streets before making their demands, 
and had halted in front of the company’s store that 
Billings might harangue those near by. He was dilat- 
ing upon the wrongs inflicted on honest workingmen, 
and calling for everyone to join in the struggle for their 
rights, when, to the astonishment of all, Mr. Wright 
appeared, coming from the direction of the slope. 

The superintendent would have passed the mob and 
entered the store, but that the men barred his way, 
forcing him to halt directly in front of Mrs. Byram’s 
home. 

“We was lookin’ for you,’’ Billings said insolently, 
as he stepped close to Mr. Wright. 

“Well, now that you have found me speak quickly, 
for there is very much that I must do before night.’’ 


48 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ Open the works ! ” a voice shouted. 

‘ ‘ Give us a chance at the bosses ! ’ ’ 

“Tell us what’s the matter. Why are we thrown 
out of a job? ’’ 

“ Hold on ! ’’ Billings cried, “I’ll do the talking.’’ 

It was several moments before the tumult ceased 
sufficiently for the leader to make himself understood, 
and meanwhile the superintendent stepped on the 
threshold as Mrs. Byram opened the door. 

“In the first place,’’ Billings began, “we want to 
know why the works have been shut down ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Because the pumps in the lower level are choked, 
and there is every danger that portion will be flooded.’’ 

‘ ‘ But why are us miners barred out ? ’ ’ 

“It is evident someone has been trying to work 
mischief, and I do not care to run the risk of allowing 
the same party free access to the place until all the 
damage is repaired. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Do you mean to accuse us of tryin to drown each 
other? ’’ one of the throng asked. 

‘ ‘ I shall make no accusations until everything can 
be proven ; but meanwhile all must remain out of the 
works that the guilty parties may not be able to do 
worse mischief.’’ 

‘ ‘ That is only a trick to keep us idle so the store bills 
put us more completely in your power, ’ ’ Billings cried 
insolently. 

“You know the company must lose a great deal of 
money by taking the men out.’’ 

It was impossible for Mr. Wright to make himself 
heard further. The miners began to speak, each one 
for himself, and little could be distinguished save the 


THK MOB 


49 


threats to bum the houses belonging to the officers of 
the works, if the machinery was not started immedi- 
ately. 

After this threat had been made the men grew more 
bold, and before those in the cottage had time to screen 
themselves a shower of stones were flung at the super- 
intendent, who barely succeeded in protecting himself 
by jumping behind the door. 

Fred and Sam, the latter of whom had an ugly cut 
on the cheek, closed the door quickly, bolting and bar- 
ricading it with the furniture nearest at hand, and the 
riot had begun. 

The angry men pelted the house with such missiles 
as could be most easily procured, and during two or 
three minutes it seemed as if the building must be 
wrecked. 

Mr. Wright would have run into the street as the 
only way by which the widow’s property could be 
saved ; but Fred and Sam prevented him by force, and 
Brace, who came down stairs at the first alarm, said 
decidedly : 

“You mustn’t think of such a thing. Your life 
would be taken.’’ 

“ It is cowardly to remain here. ’ ’ 

“ It is foolhardy to face, single handed, two or three 
hundred brutes like those who are yelling. ’ ’ 

“ But the widow’s property ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ The building belongs to the company, and you 
can easily pay her for what may be destroyed.’’ 

During this brief conversation the front windows 
had been shattered, and the mob appeared to be on 


4 


50 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


the point of carrying the place by storm when a voice 
cried : 

“I ain’t here to fight agin women who are in the 
same box with ourselves. What’s to prevent our 
smashin’ the windows of his own house?” 

” That’s the way to talk,” another replied. “Come 
on ; we’ll attend to his case later.” 

As if by magic the mob vanished ; but the hoots 
and yells told of the direction in which they had gone. 

‘‘Something must be done at once, or there is no 
knowing where this thing will end. Fred, you and 
Sam get some boards up at these windows, and I’ll learn 
how many of the men can be trusted to stand by us. 
Keep out of sight a while longer Brace.” 

Mr. Wright left the building by the rear entrance, 
the boys watching until he disappeared within the 
company’s store, and then Sam proceeded to obey the 
orders. 

Nearly every pane of glass in the front of the house 
had been broken, and there was not lumber enough to 
close more than one. 

‘‘We shall have to go to the yard for boards ; do 
you dare to try it, Fred? ” 

‘‘Why not? Skip’s crowd are most likely with the 
men.” 

Mrs. Byram was afraid to have her son leave the 
house at such a time ; but Joe Brace made light of her 
fears, and she gave a reluctant consent. 

‘‘We sha’nt be away more than half an hour, and 
the mob will pay no attention to us while they have so 
much mischief on hand,” Fred said as he followed Sam. 


ON DUTY 


51 


CHAPTER VI 

ON DUTY 

In ordkr to reach the yard where the lumber was to 
be found it was necessary that the boys should pass 
near the store, and at a point where Mr. Wright’s house 
could be seen plainly. The mob which now surrounded 
it was in full view, and the angry shouts, mingled with 
breaking glass, came to their ears with great distinct- 
ness. 

“It doesn’t seem right for us to stay here when we 
might be of some service there,’’ Fred said as he pointed 
in the direction of the building. 

‘ ‘ I don’ t know what we could do if we were on the 
spot. It isn’t likely those men would stop because we 
asked them to do so, and, so far as I can judge, it is 
very much better to stay at a respectful distance. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ And let them destroy the buildings ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What can you do to prevent it ? ” 

‘ ‘ Nothing that I know of, and yet it is wicked to let 
this thing be done without some protest.” 

“ Mr. Wright would attend to that matter if a pro- 
test would amount to anything. Our duty is to protect 
your mother, and that must be attended to before any- 
thing else. ’ ’ 

“ I realize that fact fully ; but ” 

At this moment Mr. Wright called from the rear of 
the store : 

‘ ‘ Boys, come here ! ’ ’ 

Obeying the summons they were led to a rear room 
where were assembled the principal officers of the mine. 


52 


DOWN SDOPK 


all looking more or less frightened, and the superin- 
tendent said as they entered : 

‘ ‘ Is there anything to prevent your doing as I wish 
during the next few hours. ’ ’ 

“Not that I know of, sir,” Fred replied. “We 
were about to fasten up the broken windows at home ; 
but that is of little consequence in case you require our 
services. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ The force of men on guard at the slope is too small 
if the rioters try to effect an entrance. It is in the 
highest degree important that Billings’ crowd be pre- 
vented from getting in, until all our arrangements have 
been made. Will you go on duty there until troops can 
be summoned ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ We are willing to do everything in our power. ” 

‘ ‘ Then arm yourselves with these guns. ’ ’ 

Mr. Wright pointed to a number of muskets as he 
spoke, and Sam did not delay in selecting a weapon. 

‘ ‘ I must tell mother where I have gone or she will 
be worried,” Fred said, as he started tow’ard the door. 

‘ ‘ I will call upon her at once, and you need not 
delay.” 

“ How long are we likely to remain on duty? ” 

“ Only until troops arrive. We have telegraphed to 
the governor, and a company should be here within the 
next twenty-four hours. ’ ’ 

“ It isn’t probable the sentinels will take our v/ord 
for it that you have sent us.” 

“Here is a line to Donovan, and you had better 
start at once, for there’s no saying how soon the rioters 
may get tired of destroying dwellings. Tell Donovan 
that we hope to send him a larger force soon.” 


ON DUTY 


53 


The boys felt very much like soldiers as they 
marched toward the slope, each armed with a gun and 
half a dozen cartridges, and the tumult which could 
be heard distinctly, heightened the illusion. 

“They have set fire to some building,” Sam said, 
as he pointed to a column of smoke which rose from the 
direction of the superintendent’s home. “If that kind 
of work has begun there’s little chance of its being 
ended while Billings’ crowd hold the town.” 

“I ought to have staid with mother. There’s no 
reason why I should help fight the company’s quarrels 
while she may be in danger.” 

“You could be of no assistance, and it is better to 
be out of the way, for Skip and his gang will not 
remain quiet while it is possible to do mischief. ’ ’ 

“At the same time I should be with her,” Fred 
replied ; but making no motion to return. 

Upon arriving at the entrance to the slope they 
were stopped by a sentinel who cried as he leveled his 
gun : 

‘ ‘ Halt ! What do you want ? ’ ’ 

“ We have been sent by Mr. Wright with a note to 
Donovan,” Sam replied. 

“ Stay where you are, and I will call him.” 

“ This looks like fighting,” Sam .said, as the vSenti- 
nel shouted for the breaker boss. “ If they are afraid 
to let the boys come nearer than hailing distance, 
what’ll be done when the mob get here? ” 

“If the soldiers arrive things will be worse than 
they are now,” Fred said with a sigh, and then Donovan 
interrupted the mournful conversation by calling as he 
came up the slope : 


54 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“Oh, it’s you, eh? Well, get in here quick. I 
thought Mr. Wright had sent some one to help us.” 

“So he has,” and Sam handed the breaker boss the 
superintendent’s letter. “We’re to go on duty here 
till help arrives in the shape of soldiers.” 

“ I s’ pose you two will count for one man ; but we 
need a good many more by the looks of things. Go 
into the first level an’ stay there till you’re wanted.” 

Obeying these instructions the boys found a dozen 
men lounging about the chamber, some lying on the 
empty trucks, and others moving to and fro restlessly ; 
but all well armed. 

Each one was most eager to know what was being 
done in the village, and the story had but just been told 
when the first alarm came. 

“Get up to the mouth of the slope,” Donovan 
shouted from above. “There’s a small crowd cornin’ 
this way, an’ it’s best to be prepared for ’em.” 

The command was promptly obeyed, and all watched 
the score of men who were approaching. Instead of 
nearing the sentinels they turned off to the left before 
arriving within hailing distance, and one of the party 
said in a tone of satisfaction : 

“That’s all right; they’re only lookin’ around to 
see if our eyes are open.” 

‘ ‘ They are going in the direction of the shaft into 
which Skip’s crowd threw me,” Fred whispered to Sam. 

“Yes.” 

“ And in that way it would be possible to get into 
this portion of the mine.” 

“ I s’pose so ; but they ain’t likely to make such a 
long trip as that.” 


ON DUTY 


55 


“Why not, if by so doing the lower level could be 
flooded without any risk to themselves ? ’ ’ 

“Now don’t get frightened, Fred, there isn’t one 
chance in a hundred that any of the crowd know about 
the old gallery. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But if they do all of us might easily be driven out 
by the water. ’ ’ 

“ Since it troubles you so much, speak to Donovan. 
He’s the boss, and will know if anything should be 
done. ’ ’ 

“You tell him.” 

“ Not much ; I’m not going to be laughed at.” 

Fred hesitated only a moment ; he believed that it 
was of the utmost importance this possible means of 
entering the mine should be guarded, and calling 
Donovan aside told him of his escape from the shaft ; 
but refrained from mentioning Joe Brace’s name. 

“I reckon you’re more frightened than hurt, lad; 
but at the same time I don’t want to run any risks. 
Since Sam Thorpe knows the way through, take him an’ 
start. One of you could keep a hundred from cornin’ 
in at such a small hole as you tell about. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Are we to stay there ? ’ ’ 

“Half an hour’ll be long enough; if they don’t 
show theirselves by then we’ll know there’s nothin’ to 
be feared from that quarter. ’ ’ 

Fred repeated to Sam what Donovan had said, and 
the orders were not received in a cheerful spirit. 

“That’s all you get for bein’ scared. It ain’t any 
joke to travel through the lower level, an’ we can count 
on stayin’ there till midnight.” 

“ It’s better than being flooded out.” 


56 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


“I’m not so sure of that.” 

“ Then you won’t go? ” 

“Of course I will. Do you think I’m such a fool 
as to act dead against orders. Come on, an’ let’s get 
through with it as soon as possible. ’ ’ 

By using an empty car, allowing it to run down the 
grade by its own weight, they were soon at the heavy 
doors which marked the termination of the first level. 
Here a halt was made, because even the boys whose 
duties it was to open the barriers were absent, and from 
this point the remainder of the journey was made on 
foot. 

At the lower level five miners were found repairing 
the pumps, and the boys were forced once more to tell 
what had occurred in the village. 

“ Men what want to work don’t go round kickin’ up 
sich a row as this,” one of the party said, as Fred and 
Sam passed on. “Give some of that Billings’ crowd a 
chance an’ the slope never’d be opened agin.” 

“There’s a miner who won’t join the mob,” Fred 
said. 

“ Yes ; but for every man like that a dozen can be 
found to fight against their own interests. ’ ’ 

Now the boys no longer walked side by side. Sam 
led the way, watching narrowly the lamp in his com- 
panion’s cap to discover the first signs of fire-damp, and 
guarding well the flame which served to show him the 
proper course. 

“ Be careful of your matches,” he said warningly. 
“ They may be worth a good deal before we get back 
from this wild goose chase. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ How much farther must we go ? ” 


ON DUTY 


57 


“ Half an hour of fast traveling should bring us to 
where you found the tunnel choked with coal, an’ I 
don’t reckon you count on tryin’ to get any farther.” 

“ We couldn’t do it, no matter how much we might 
want to.” 

“ Oh, yes ; when the doors are opened that pile will 
come down mighty quick ; but while it stays as it is the 
passage is blocked better than if a dozen men were on 
guard.” 

Another time of silence, during which the boys 
walked rapidly, and then Sam uttered an exclamation 
of surprise. 

“Some one has been working here. Half the coal 
is pulled away, an’ it won’t be much of a job to get into 
the chamber. ” 

“ Who could have done it?” 

“ Perhaps Billings’ gang worked a spell after the 
order to quit was given ? ” 

“What could they have gained by reaching Joe 
again?” 

‘ ‘ Taken him through the old drift to the shaft. 
But let’s work our way over this pile, an’ then start 
back before our oil gives out.” 

Ten minutes of sharp labor and the boys were in the 
chamber where Brace had been left to die, Sam throw- 
ing himself on the hard floor, as he said : 

‘ ‘ We’ll take a breathin’ spell before leaving. You 
see now there was no use in cornin’.” 

“ So it seems ; but I couldn’t help thinking some of 
that crowd which passed the slope knew how to get 
here.” 

“ It ain’t possible — Hark ! What was that? ” 


58 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


A low hum as of conversation could be heard from 
the other side of the wall, and Sam sprang to the 
aperture made by Fred and Joe Brace. 

“ I’ll never yip again about you’re being scared,” he 
whispered after one glance. ‘ ‘ Here come the whole 
crowd, an’ we’re in a fix.” 

‘ ‘ They won’t dare to crawl through, if we threaten 
to shoot. ” 

“ Bet’s first find out exactly what they are here for. 
It may be they are only looking for Joe.” 

Standing either side the aperture the boys watched 
the approach of the men whose movements were revealed 
by the miner’s lamp each carried. 

It was impossible to distinguish the conversation 
until the party was very near the break in the wall, and 
then one shouted : 

‘ ‘ Hello Joe ! How are you ? ” 

“We’ve come to pull you out of this scrape,” 
another said, after waiting a few seconds for a reply. 

Then a lamp was pushed through, Fred and Sam 
crouching close against the wall to avoid observation, 
and its owner cried in a tone of astonishment : 

“ He isn’t here ! The place is empty ! ” 

A deep silence reigned for a moment, and then some 
one said in an angry tone. 

“It ain’t hard to understand the whole thing now. 
He slipped the ropes, an’ come out this way. Wright 
has heard the story, an’ that’s why the works were shut 
down so suddenly.” 

‘ ‘ But what’s become of him ? He ain’ t in the 
town.” 

“Of course he is, an’ hidin’ somewhere. Jim, you 


THE STRUGGLE 


59 


run back an’ tell Billings so’s he can hunt the sneak 
out. ” 

“ Are you goin’ on alone? ” 

“ Why not ? Them fools are guardin’ the slope, an’ 
we can flood the place before they so much as think any 
one has got in behind them. Tell the boys well be 
back by sunset.” 

Sam touched Fred, to warn him that the time for 
action had arrived, and, slight as was the movement, it 
caught the attention of the man on the opposite side. 

“ Hold on,” he cried. “ There’s somebody in here, 
an’ we must know who it is.” 

Before he could thrust his lamp through, Sam 
shouted : 

“Stand back, or there’ll be trouble. Two of us are 
here, both armed, and we shall fire at the first one who 
so much as shows the tip of his nose.” 


CHAPTER VII 

THE STRUGGLE 

Recognizing at once that the voice they had just 
heard did not belong to the man for whom they were 
looking the rioters remained silent with surprise, 
and during this short interval Sam brought the butt of 
his gun to the floor with unnecessary force in order that 
there might be no question about his being armed. 

‘ ‘ Who is inside ? ’ ’ one of the party finally asked, 
and Sam replied: 

“It does not make any difference so long as you 
don’t attempt to come through.’’ 


6o 


DOWN THK SIvOPK 


“ We shall do it just the same, an’ it’ll be so much 
the worse for you if a finger is raised to stop us. ’ ’ 

“There’s no need of very much talk. We’re here 
to keep you out. At the first movement both will 
shoot, and we’ve got ammunition to hold the place 
’till the others come.’’ 

This bold assertion caused the rioters no little un- 
easiness, as could be told from the fact that the entire 
party retreated down the drift, where they apparently 
began a consultation as to the best course to be pursued 
under the circumstances. 

“Come on this side,’’ Sam whispered. “If we 
stand opposite each other and are obliged to shoot we 
shall get the worst of it.’’ 

“ Do you really mean to kill them?” Fred asked as 
he changed his position. 

‘ ‘ I intend to hit whoever comes through if I can, 
an’ they’ll have to run the risk of the kijljn’ part.” 

“If we could only send word to Donovan.” 

“Well, we can’t, an’ it looks as if we might have to 
stay here a long while, unless they get the best of us. 
Nobody will think of coming to look for us for a good 
many hours, an’ that’s why I said we were in a fix.” 

Neither of the boys cared to prolong the conversa- 
tion. Their situation was desperate, and to state it in 
words seemed like making it worse, but, as Fred after- 
ward said, “they kept up a terrible thinking,” until 
the rioters began operations by approaching the aper- 
ture once more, keeping close to the wall on either side 
to prevent giving the defenders an opportunity of using 
their weapons. 

“See here,” the spokesman began, “we’ve come to 


THK STRUGGLK 


6l 


give you a chance of actin’ square. You know who we 
are, an’ that what we do will help all hands who work 
here. I^et us through peaceably, an’ we’ll allers be 
your friends, but if we’re obliged to fight for it there’ll 
be nothin’ left of you.” 

“ We’ll take our chances rather than have such as 
you call us friends ; but it strikes me that a fight, with 
all the weapons on our side, is too big a contract for 
you to tackle.” 

“Put out your lamps, boys, an’ we’ll show these 
fools what can be done.” 

In an instant the tunnel was plunged in profound 
darkness, and the lights worn by the boys served to 
reveal their whereabouts clearly. 

Both realized how great would be the disadvantages 
under such circumstances, and in the least possible time 
the tiny flames were extinguished. 

Even while this was being done the rioters attempted 
to effect an entrance ; but, without exposing himself to 
a blow, Sam discharged his weapon, paying little regard 
to accuracy of aim. 

The noise of the report echoed and reechoed through 
the passages, and the chamber was filled with smoke, 
during which time Fred fancied he saw a form leaning 
half through the aperture, and he also fired. 

“That makes two cartridges, an’ now we’ve only 
got ten left,” Sam said in a half whisper. “At this 
rate we can’t keep the battle goin’ a great while, an’ 
when the thing is ended we shall have to take what- 
ever they choose to give.” 

‘ ‘ Donovan may send some one before the ammuni- 
tion is exhausted.” 


62 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“ He won’t think of such a thing for a good many 
hours yet. Could you find your way back to where the 
men are at work on the pumps? ” 

‘ ‘ And leave you alone ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ One of us must go, or else these fellows will 
soon be where a great amount of mischief can be 
done. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I am willing to do whatever you think best. ’ ’ 

“Then go, and tell whoever you meet, of the pickle 
I am in. I’ll stay because I’ll most likely make a better 
fist at fighting than you. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Do you want the cartridges ? ’ ’ 

“ Yes, and the gun.” 

Fred placed the weapon against the wall near his 
companion, and turned to go.” 

“Don’t light your lamp until you are so far away 
that the flame can’t be seen, for it won’t do to let them 
know we have divided forces. ’ ’ 

A silent handshake and Sam w^as alone. 

“It’s goin’ to be a tough job, an’ most likely I’ll 
get the worst of it,’’ he said to himself, as he leaned 
toward the aperture in a listening attitude. 

Five minutes passed, and then came a shower of 
missiles, causing a choking dust to arise ; but doing no 
further injury. Immediately afterward the boy fancied 
another attempt was being made to crawl through, and 
he discharged both weapons in rapid succession. 

“ Now we’ve got him! ’’ a voice shouted, and before 
Sam could reload the guns two or three men were in the 
chamber. 

He crouched in the further corner hoping to slip the 
cartridges in the barrel, while they should be hunting 


TH:e STRUGGI.K 63 

for him ; but one of the party ignited a match, and an 
instant later he was held as if by bands of iron. 

“ Light your lamps, an’ be lively about it, for there’s 
another one here ! ’ ’ 

Sam made one violent effort to release himself ; but 
in vain. When the chamber was illuminated he saw a 
crowd of men peering in every direction for Fred. 

“It’s Bill Thomas’ butty,’’ one of the party said in 
surprise. “ I didn’t know he was a bosses’ pet.’’ 

“ Neither will he be very long. Where’s the other 
fellow?’’ and Sam’s captor tried to choke the answer 
from him. 

“If he don’t speak quick strangle him. We can’t 
spend much time on a kid,’’ some one suggested, and 
the question was repeated. 

Sam knew that the men were in no humor to be 
trifled wflth, and there was little doubt but the stran- 
gling would follow unless he obeyed. It was possible to 
delay the explanations for a few seconds, and thus give 
Fred so much more time to reach the lower level. 

With this view he coughed and struggled after the 
vice-like pressure upon his throat was removed, to make 
it appear as if it was only with the greatest difiiculty 
he could breathe, and fully a moment was thus gained 
when his captor kicked him two or three times as he 
said : 

“None of that shamming. Speak quick, or I’ll 
give you something to cough for.’’ 

“The fellow who was with me went back to the 
slope. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ How long ago ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ When we first knew you were here. ’ ’ 


64 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“ That’s a lie, for we heard you talking.” 

‘ ‘ What makes you ask any questions if you know 
better than I? ” 

” When did he leave? ” 

‘ ‘ I told you before. Of course he waited long 
enough to find out how many there were of you.” 

At least five minutes had passed from the time Sam 
was first questioned, and this must have given Fred a 
safe start. 

” Go after him, Zack, and take Jake with you,” the 
spokesman said, sharply. ” Travel the best you know 
how, for everything depends on overtakin’ him.” 

The two men started at full speed, and the leader 
asked Sam : 

” Where is Joe Brace? ” 

“Brace?” Sam repeated, as if in bewilderment, 
“ Why he didn’t come with us.” 

“Wasn’t he in this place when you got here? ” 

“ Of course not. I’m most certain I saw him in the 
village just after the works were shut down.” 

There was a ring of truth in the boy’s tones which 
could not be mistaken, and the rioters appeared satisfied. 

“Abe, go an’ tell Billings that Brace got out of here 
in time to warn Wright, an’ let him know what we’ve 
struck. Don’t waste any time now.” 

When the messenger had departed the leader beck- 
oned to another member of the party, and said as he 
pointed to Sam : 

“Take care of him. The whole thing would soon 
be up if he should get away.” 

“What’ll I do with the cub?” the man asked in a 
surly tone. 


'The; struggle 


65 


‘ ‘ Anything so that you keep him safe. A thump 
on the head will help straighten matters, if he tries to 
kick up a row. ’ ’ 

“ Where are you going?” 

“We’ll foller up Zack an’ Jake, an’ if they catch 
the boy there’ll be nothin’ to prevent our finishin’ the 
business we came for. ’ ’ 

After a brief consultation, which was carried on in 
such low tones that Sam could not distinguish a word, 
the men started down the drift, leaving the prisoner and 
his captor alone. 

Sam knew the man was named Bart Skinner, and 
that he w^as an intimate friend of Billings’. ' He had the 
reputation of being quarrelsome and intemperate, and 
was exactly the sort of person one would expect to see 
among such a party as were now committing lawless 
deeds. 

“I don’t count on wastin’ much time with you,” 
Bart said when the footsteps of. his companions had died 
away in the distance. “I’ll leave you in a safe place 
pervidin’ you behave; but let me hear one yip, an’ I’ll 
try the weight of my fist. Come along. ’ ’ 

No attempt had been made to fetter Sam. The 
rioters understood that it was impossible for him to 
escape, and probably looked upon it as a clear waste of 
labor. 

When Bart spoke he seized the boy by each arm, 
forcing him through the aperture, and then retaining 
his hold as he followed. Once in the tunnel the two 
pressed on at a rapid gait toward the shaft, Sam being 
obliged to walk a few paces in advance, until they 
arrived at a point where a tunnel had been run at right 

5 


66 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


angles with the drift ; but which was shut off by stout 
wooden doors. 

“We’ll stop here a bit,” Bart said, as he tried to 
unfasten the rusty bolts which had not been used for 
many years. 

Believing that he might as well accept his capture 
with a good grace instead of sulking over it, Sam did 
what he could to assist in opening the doors. 

When the task was finally accomplished Bart mo- 
tioned for the boy to enter first, and after assuring him- 
self by the flame of his lamp that the air was pure, he 
obeyed. 

‘ ‘ Go on a bit, an’ see if it is a drift, or only a 
stable. ’ ’ 

“They’ve exhausted the vein after following it 
about thirty feet,” Sam replied, as he walked the full 
length, and when on the point of turning to retrace his 
steps the doors were closed with a clang, while from the 
outside could be heard the mocking voice of Bart as he 
shoved the bolts into their sockets : 

“It’s deep enough for what I want to use it. You’ll 
do no mischief while here, an’ I reckon the bosses will 
hunt a long time before findin’ you. ’ ’ 

Then Sam heard the sound of rapidly retreating 
footsteps, and thought to himself as he vainly shook 
the timbers : 

“If those fellows overtook Fred I’m likely to stay 
here till the mine is flooded. ’ ’ 


THE PURSUIT 


67 


CHAPTER VIII 

THE PURSUIT 

When Fred left Sam to defend the breach in the 
wall he fully realized the necessity of giving the alarm 
quickly, and did not stop to light his lamp until after 
scrambling over the barrier of coal. 

Once this had been done he ran at his best pace, 
guided by the wooden tracks on which the cars were 
hauled, until he was obliged to halt from sheer lack of 
breath. A dull sound in the rear caused him to push 
on again very quickly, for he believed Sam had found 
it necessary to discharge his weapons. 

On making the second halt a few moments later, he 
detected a certain scurrying noise which at first he 
fancied might have been caused by the rats ; but imme- 
diately came the voice of a man, and he knew the riot- 
ers were pursuing him. 

“I’ll get a pretty heavy dose if they catch me,” he 
muttered, hurrying once more, and when the journey 
was half finished it became apparent that the pursuers 
were gaining upon him. 

The lives of others beside his own might be sacri- 
ficed, if he did not win the race, and he bent all his 
energies to the undertaking. Once he stumbled, almost 
fell ; but luckily recovered his balance, and darted on, 
forced to run upon the ties because the space either 
side was so narrow. 

Nearer and nearer came the men until he could hear 
their heavy breathing, and one of them shouted : 

“Halt, or we’ll shoot! ” 


68 


DOWN THK SDOPB 


Knowing that they might have gotten possession of 
his gun he had reason to believe the threat would be 
carried into execution ; but he said to himself : 

“It’s better to be killed by a bullet than take what 
they choose to give,” and the command only served to 
quicken his pace. 

Minute after minute passed ; no shot was fired, his 
breath came in quick gasps, and it seemed impossible to 
continue the flight many seconds longer. The pursuers 
were now within a few yards, and nothing could be seen 
ahead. Whether the lower level was close at hand or 
a mile away he could not decide ; but in his despair he 
shouted for help. 

“ Pick up some chunks of slate an’ see if you can’t 
hit him. At this rate we shall soon have to turn 
back.” 

One of the men stopped long enough to gather an 
armful of fragments, and as he continued the pursuit 
threw them with murderous intent at the fugitive. 

Two passed very near the almost exhausted boy’s 
head ; but none inflicted any injury, and he shouted 
again and again for those who were working at the 
pumps. 

At the very moment when Fred lost all hope a tiny 
ray of light appeared from out the gloom, and he cried 
for help once more ; then fell headlong to the ground. 

When he next realized anything he was surrounded 
by miners, who had evidently been running, and one 
asked, impatiently : 

“ Can you tell us what happened, lad, an’ how them 
sneaks managed to get in here ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Have they gone back ? ’ ’ 


THK PURSUIT 


69 


‘ ‘ Indeed they have ; we chased them the matter of 
half a mile, an’ then concluded it was time we got the 
story from you, for it might not have been safe to pass 
the first drift. ’ ’ 

In a few words Fred told his story, adding as it was 
ended : 

“There is a big crowd of them, and all hands are 
bent on flooding the mine.” 

“We don’t care to have them drown us out like 
rats, so I reckon there’ll have to be some fightin’ done 
before that little game is played. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ But what about Sam ? ’ ’ 

“They’ve got hold of him for sure ; but he’ll have 
to take his chances with the crowd, for we can’t help 
him now.” 

“They’ll kill him!” 

“I don’t reckon there’s much chance of that, lad; 
but if there was we couldn’t do a thing. I’d go farther 
than most anybody, for he was my butty, an’ a right 
good boy; but he’s in the hole to stay ’till the company 
get the upper hand of them as would kill their best 
friends to injure the bosses.” 

Fred knew it was Bill Thomas who spoke in such a 
tone of utter helplessness, and there could be no doubt 
as to the correctness of his statements. 

“I’d go back alone if I had the gun.” 

“ Then it’s lucky you left it behind. Best go up the 
slope an’ tell Donovan what has happened here, so’s he 
can send men to the old shaft. Say to him that we’ll 
be through in a couple of hours more, an’ want him to 
start the pumps, for we’re workin’ in four feet of 
water. ’ ’ 


70 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


After stationing one of their number as guard the 
miners resumed their labor, and Fred started toward 
the slope, bent on inducing Donovan to take some 
steps for the relief of Sam. 

Wearied by the previous exertions he made but slow 
progress, and when he reached the breaker at least half 
an hour had elapsed. 

Those who had been left to guard the mine were on 
duty in positions where their bodies would be sheltered 
in case of an attack with fire-arms, and in a group out- 
side were forty or fifty of the rioters. 

“Bill Thomas wants to know if you will start the 
pumps? They are working in four feet of water,” 
Fred said, as he approached Donovan. 

“ It can’t be done now if the whole level is flooded. 
These fellows have made tw^o rushes, and are gettin’ 
ready for another. ’ ’ 

“ Don’t you suppose this is to prevent you from dis- 
covering that a portion of the rioters are getting in 
through the old shaft?” and Fred told of what had 
occurred in the drift. 

“ That’s jest the size of it ; but what can be done? 
We can’t spare a man from here.” 

‘ ‘ There are surely more at the store who would help 
us.” 

“Very likely; but they won’t come while this crowd 
is here. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ If Mr. Wright knew what was going on he could 
send a party to the shaft.” 

“ Yes, if he knew it.” 

“ Why not send him word?” 

“How?” 


THB PURSUIT 


71 


This was a question. Fred did not answer, and 
Donovan continued : 

“There’s no chance by which any one could get 
from here to the store, while that gang of murderers 
keep watch over all our movements. ’ ’ 

“It is nearly night. In an hour it will be too dark 
for them to see what is going on.” 

‘ ‘ Who will take the risk of trying to slip past 
them ? ’ ’ 

“I will.” 

“You’ll be in a worse box than Sam is, if they 
catch you.” 

“Something must be done, and since you can’t 
spare anybody to go to the poor fellow’s assistance 
I’m ready to take my chances while trying to help 
him.” 

Donovan did not reply until after looking carefully 
around as if calculating the probabilities of success, and 
then he said : 

“ I’ve a mind to let you attempt it. If the soldiers 
don’t arrive before morning, and Billings’ crowd are 
coming through the old shaft as you say, we must have 
help soon, or give up the fight. There is a chance you 
will get past all right, and I’m certain we can expect 
no one to come unless we say it is impossible to hold 
out longer.” 

‘ ‘ I am ready to go. ’ ’ 

“ Very well ; wait until it is dark, an’ then you may 
make a try for it.” 

It would have pleased Fred better, if he could have 
been actively employed at once, for the knowledge that 
Sam was in the power of the rioters troubled him more 


72 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


than personal danger would have done ; but nothing 
remained save to wait as Donovan said, and he tried to 
be patient. 

From the men on guard he learned that Mr. 
Wright’s house had been attacked; but the mob con- 
tented themselves with destroying the windows and 
setting fire to the stable. The building itself yet re- 
mained intact, and there was reason to believe no more 
outrages, except such as might be committed near the 
mine, would be committed. 

“ Them as are standin’ in with Billings don’t really 
know what they want, except as he tells them,” Fred’s 
informant said, ” an’ that’s what makes things of this 
kind dangerous. If the men understood exactly the 
cause of such rows, there’ d be little trouble.” 

“But since they don’t, what wdll be the result of 
this one? ” Fred asked. 

“That’s more’n I can tell. The mob may quiet 
down, an’ then again they may grow worse, so there’s 
no sayin’ w'hat’ll happen. Anyhow, you don’t want to 
take many chances on your wa}^ to the store.” 

“I’ve got to help Sam.” 

“Right you are; but at the same time you ain’t 
called on to take too big risks. Don’t start unless 
things look favorable for gettin’ through all right, 
’cause Cale Billings ain’t a nice sort of a man to meet 
when he’s on the top of the heap.” 

‘ ‘ Sam is in his power. ’ ’ I 

‘ ‘ How do you know ? ’ ’ 

“ It is only reasonable to suppose so.” 

“Then all the more cause for you to keep away 
from him. I’d like to have some one to see the boss; 


THE pursuit 


73 


but I haven’t got the nerve to send a boy instead of 
goin’ myself.” 

Since this was a direct reflection upon Donovan, 
Fred refrained from making any reply, and the con- 
versation ceased. 

Twice before dark the rioters made a demonstration 
in front of the slope, as if bent on effecting an entrance, 
and each time Fred fancied more men were sent in the 
direction of the old shaft. 

It was not for him to make any suggestions, how- 
ever, and with a heavy heart he watched the maneuvers, 
believing that each moment saw Sam in more peril. 

A messenger was sent to the miners in the lower 
level telling them that the pumps could not be started, 
and urging all hands to hold the drift against the riot- 
ers ; but that was everything which could be done 
under the circumstances, and the most vulnerable point 
was virtually left unguarded. 

When night came the lawless party built several 
fires between the slope and the shaft, very much as if 
they wished to show that they were on guard, and Don- 
ovan motioned to Fred as he walked a few paces down 
the drift. 

“I didn’t want the others to hear what I said, for 
it’s just as well they shouldn’t know what a scrape 
we’re in. If you can get to the store, tell Mr. Wright 
that he mustn’t wait for the soldiers ; there’s no ques- 
tion but Bill Thomas’ party have got their hands full 
keepin’ back them as come in by the shaft, and it can’t 
be long before we’ll be snowed under. It’s about 
twenty to one now, an’ in case of a rush the matter 
would be settled mighty quick.” 


74 


DOWN THD SDOPK 


“ If I can leave the mouth of the slope without be- 
ing seen there’ll be no trouble.” 

” Half a dozen of us will go out a short bit, an’ you 
shall follow on behind. There ought to be a chance of 
slippin’ off, an’ if there isn’t we’ll have to give it up, 
for I’m not willin’ you should take too big risks.” 

Fred threw off his coat and vest that he might be in 
good condition for running, and then as the men 
marched out of the slope he crouched in the rear. 

The rioters made no demonstration ; but stood ready 
to repel an attack, watching closely all the maneuvers, 
and Donovan whispered to the boy: 

“It won’t do to try it, lad. They are scattered 
around in such a way that you couldn’t get a dozen 
yards before bein’ seen.” 

” I’m going to try it.” 

” Don’t, lad, don’t,” several said quickly, and, fear- 
ing he might be forcibly detained, Fred started. 

He went straight back from the slope, bending low 
in the vain hope of escaping observation, and having 
gained a distance of an hundred feet set off at full 
speed, forced to run in a half circle to reach the 
road. 

To those who were watching it seemed as if hardly 
a second elapsed before a great shout went up from the 
rioters. 

“The vSneaks are sendin’ for help! ” 

‘ ‘ Stop that boy ! ’ ’ 

“ Don’t let him get away! ” 

These and a dozen other orders were given at the 
same time, and those rioters who were nearest Fred 
began the pursuit. 



Fred set off at full speed, and almost immediately a shout went up from the rioters: The sneaks are sending for 

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JOK BRACK 


75 


“ He’ll never reach the store,” Donovan said sadly, 
as he led the way back to the slope when Fred was 
swallowed up by the darkness. “ Even if these fellows 
don’t overtake him there are plenty between here and 
there who’ll hear the alarm.” 


CHAPTER IX 

JOK BRACE 

During the first five minutes after he was locked in 
the short drift, Sam Thorpe gave himself up to un- 
reasoning anger. He threw himself again and again 
upon the timbers as if believing it would be possible to 
force them apart, and shouted at the full strength of 
his lungs until he was literally unable to speak louder 
than a whisper. 

Then recognizing the uselessness of such proceed- 
ings, he sat down to think over the matter calmly. 

“If Fred succeeded in giving the alarm, I’m not in 
very much danger of being drowned out,” he said to 
himself ; ‘ ‘ but if he was caught I can count on dying 
in about two hours.” 

With this mental speech came the assurance that he 
had yet a hundred and twenty minutes in which to 
fight for life, and he resolved not to waste a single 
second. 

The lamp in his cap gave sufiicient light for a 
thorough examination of his prison, and it was soon 
made. A solid wall of earth and slate surrounded him, 
the only outlet was through the doors, which were of 


76 


DOWN THK SlyOPB 


planks and thickly studded with nails that they might 
be strong enough to resist a heavy pressure of water. 

His only weapon was a stout pocket knife; but 
even with a saw he could not have cut his way 
through. 

The hinges were next examined. They were 
fastened to large joists which in turn had been set 
firmly into the strata of slate. 

The only weak point he could find was where the 
two doors came together, and the flat bolt was exposed. 
Its entire width and about an inch of its length could 
be seen thickly covered with rust, and here Sam 
decided to direct his efforts. 

“There isn’t much chance I can cut it through in 
two hours, ’ ’ he said ; ‘ ‘ but its better to work than lay 
still thinking of w^hat may happen. ” 

Breaking the stoutest blade of his knife he began 
with the jagged surface to scratch at the iron. While 
cutting through the rust his progress was reasonably 
rapid ; but on Arm metal was very much like filing a 
boiler plate with a pin. 

Then the blade of his knife was worn smooth, and 
he broke off another piece, repeating the operation until 
the steel had been used to the hilt. 

The bolt was cut nearly half through ; but as he 
judged, two hours must have passed. 

‘ ‘ If they succeed in flooding the mine I shall still 
be a prisoner when the w^ater comes,’’ he muttered, and 
at that moment he heard the sound of approaching 
footsteps. 

Two or more had come from the direction of the 
shaft, and halted near the door. 


JOK BRACE 


77 




“It’s no use to tr}^ and fight our way into the drift 
through the hole,’’ he heard one of the new-comers say, 
and recognized the voice as that of Cale Billings. 

“Are you goin’ to give up beat! ’’ 

“Not much. Inside of an hour we’ll have fifty 
men here, and while the fools think we are trying to 
get in by the slope a tunnel can be made from one of 
the smaller cuttings.” 

‘ ‘ What good will that do ? ’ ’ 

“If I ain’t mistaken we shall come out on the 
second level where it’ll be no more than child’s play to 
get the best of both crowds. ’ ’ 

“ But suppose Wright has sent for soldiers? I heard 
he telegraphed to the governor.’’ 

“We’ll be in possession of the mine, an’ I reckon 
they’ll be willin’ to make terms with us, for a regiment 
couldn’ drive us out.” 

“ Well, what are you stoppin’ here for? ’’ 

“ I want to see where that boy is. We mustn’t lose 
him yet awhile.’’ 

“He’s in here.’’ 

“An’ I reckon he’ll stay till we want him,’’ Billings 
replied with a laugh, after apparently examining the 
bolt*. 

Then the two men passed on, and Sam began his 
slow task again. Hope was strong in his breast, for he 
knew from the conversation that Fred had succeeded in 
warning the miners. 

He used the small blade, and it wore away so 
quickly that there could be no chance it would last to 
complete the work. 

“ If I could get a purchase on the door it might be 


78 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


broken open now the bolt is cut so much,” he said, 
looking around once more. 

Near the uprights was an extra piece of joist stand- 
ing on end as if forming a portion of the side. 

The floor of the cutting was full of irregularities 
where the slate had been broken or taken out, and this 
gave him the opportunity to get the required purchase. 

With one end of the joist pressed firmly against a 
slight elevation, and the other on the doors just over 
the bolt, he clambered up until near the top, when all 
his weight and strength were brought into play. 

Once, twice, he swayed up and down, and then inch 
by inch the metal yielded until the heavy timbers 
swung outward, and he was free so far as liberty of 
movement in the drift was concerned. 

At the moment when he emerged there was no one 
in the passage, and he hurriedly re-closed the doors 
that his escape might not be discovered by those who 
should pass. 

After some difficulty he succeeded in pushing the 
broken piece of iron into the sockets in such a manner 
that a casual observer would hardly notice anything 
wrong, and then, extinguishing the light in his cap, he 
went swiftly toward the shaft, arriving there just as 
half a dozen men were on the point of descending. 

Crouching against the wall at one corner the new- 
comers failed to notice him ; but it was impossible to 
ascend the rope ladder which had been let down, with- 
out attracting attention, because of the numbers who 
continued to arrive at irregular intervals. 

During an hour he waited, shrouded from view by 
the gloom, and then came the desired opportunity. 


JOE BRACE 


79 


Two men returned from the further end of the drift, 
and ascended the ladder. 

“I’ll follow them and run the risk of being recog- 
nized,” he said to himself, and suiting the action to the 
words he climbed the network of rope immediately 
behind the second rioter. 

It was twilight when he arrived at the surface, and 
Billings’ forces were building a row of fires directly in 
front of the slope. 

To start toward the village immediately would 
be to take too many chances of detection, and Sam 
loitered on the outskirts of the crowd watching 
for the desired opportunity, which came when Fred 
left the slope to carry Donovan’s message to Mr. 
Wright. 

Instantly the alarm was given Sam started in 
pursuit, accompanied by a dozen others, and only by 
outstripping the rioters could he hope to make his 
escape. 

Fred ran as he had never done before, with the 
howling mob at his heels, and foremost among them 
was Sam. Two men were in advance of the escaping 
prisoner ; but by an apparent misstep while he ran 
alongside the second, the rioter was overturned, and 
but one remained ; the others being so far in the rear 
as not to count in the chase. 

Fred glanced over his shoulder now and then ; but 
the darkness prevented him from recognizing his friend 
until the latter deliberately threw himself in front of 
the pursuer, and a tumble was the result. 

“ Keep on it’s me — Sam ! ” the butty boy shouted, 
as he scrambled to his feet before the man had fully 


8o 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


recovered his senses, and with a cry of glad surprise, 
Fred asked : 

‘ ‘ How did you get away ? ’ ’ 

“It’s too long a story to tell now when w^e need all 
our breath. Are you trying to reach home ? ’ ’ 

“ No ; the store.’’ 

‘ ‘ Then you know what Billings’ crowd are intendin’ 
to do.’’ 

“ Yes, and help is needed at once.’’ 

Sam made no reply. Both the men he had over- 
thrown were on their feet again, and, with a dozen 
others, were close in the rear, making every effort to 
overtake the fugitives. 

The race was virtually won, however, unless other 
rioters were met on the road. The boys yet had thirty 
or forty yards the advantage, and before this could be 
overcome they were within sight of the store, from 
which, attracted by the shouts, came Mr. Wright and a 
number of employees. 

All of these latter were armed, and the pursuers 
halted at a respectful distance, while the boys dashed 
into the building breathless and nearly exhausted. 

It was several moments before Fred could repeat 
the message Donovan had sent, and this was hardly 
done when a message from the governor arrived, 
stating that no troops could be sent until the following 
day. 

“I’m afraid those at the mine will have to take care 
of themselves,” Mr. Wright said, when he learned of 
the condition of affairs there. “If we should leave 
here, or even divide our force, the store as well as the 
offices might be sacked.” 


JOB BRACB 


8l 


“But the mine will be flooded if Billings succeeds 
with the tunnel.” 

“ It can’t be helped now. We should need, at least, 
fifty men to effect an entrance, and eighteen is the full 
number who can be trusted.” 

“Those who are there may be drowned.” 

“There is no danger of that since all hands are on 
the alert for the first signs of trouble. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Then Sam and I may as well go home. ’ ’ 

“It would be a good idea to tell Brace that he must 
try to get here unobserved. The men already believe 
he is in town, and I am afraid they may discover his 
hiding place, when there’s bound to be mischief done.” 

Disheartened, because after incurring all the danger 
no real good had been done, Fred motioned to Sam, and 
left the store. 

The streets of the village presented an unusual 
appearance. Nearly every house was open and lighted 
as if for a general illumination, while the sidewalks were 
crowded with throngs of excited women and children. 

‘ ‘ This would be a good time for Skip to pay you 
off,” Sam said, as they walked swiftly along. “While 
so much is goin’ on they could do pretty near as they 
pleased without fear of being stopped.” 

“What he might do seems to be of little conse- 
quence compared with the danger which threatens the 
poor fellows at the mine. If the lower level should be 
flooded while they were guarding the drift there’s every 
chance all would be drowned.” 

“It don’t do to think of such things when there’s 
nothing which can be done to help them. It might be 
worse, an’ there’s some comfort in that.” 

6 


82 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“I fail to see anything very cheering in such an 
idea,” Fred replied, and then the two were at Mrs. 
Byram’s home. 

The door was locked ; but the lightest of taps 
sufficed to attract the widow’s attention, and the visitor 
received no less warm a reception than did the son. 

Brace was so impatient to learn what had been done 
by the rioters that he descended the stairs immediately 
upon hearing the boys’ voices, and while Mrs. Byram 
prepared supper, Fred and Sam gave an account of 
their own adventures, as well as all which was known 
concerning the mob. 

“So I’m to sneak over to the store, eh? ” the miner 
asked, as the recital was concluded. 

“ That was what Mr. Wright said.” 

“ I’ll do nothin’ of the kind.” 

“Why not?” 

“Because I’ve had enough of hidin’ like a fellow 
who had done somethin’ wrong.” 

“ But it isn’t safe to show yourself.” 

“ I’ll take the chances, an’ see what Billings’ gang 
can do.” 

“Don’t think of such a thing,” Mrs. By ram cried 
in alarm. “You might be killed.” 

‘ ‘ A fellow who has worked a matter of half a dozen 
years at Farley’s can’t be knocked out so easy.” 

“Are you going into the street? ” 

“Yes, an’ to the mine if I take the notion.” 

“What could you do alone against two or three 
hundred men ? ’ ’ 

“Show that there is one fellow who ain’t afraid of 
the whole murderin’ gang.” 


JOK BRACE 


83 


“That would be the height of foolishness.” 

“ I can’t help it,” was the dogged reply, and Brace 
rose to his feet as if to leave the house. 

Both Sam and Fred sprang up to detain him ; but 
before a word could be spoken by either, angry shouts 
and cries were heard in the distance. 

“They are up to fresh mischief,” Sam exclaimed, as 
he cautiously pulled back the curtains to look out. 

“ There are a dozen of the rioters on the sidewalk,” 
he cried, “ and they are evidently watching us.” 

Brace ran to Sam’s side, and the instant he showed 
himself some of the men shouted : 

“ Here’s the traitor ! We’ve got him caged ! ” 

“String him up ! ” 

“ Yank him out so’s the bosses can see how we treat 
spies ! ’ ’ 

These cries were echoed by the body of men who 
were approaching on a run, and Mrs. By ram said, as 
she drew Brace from the window : 

‘ ‘ They have learned you are here, and in their mad 
excitement murder may be committed.” 

Then came from the street as if to give emphasis to 
her words : 

“Hang him! Hang him I He’s worse than the 
bosses I ’ ’ 

“ You must go to the store now,” Sam cried. 

“ What’s the good? They will get in there as easily 
as here.” 

“ Mr. Wright and his men are well armed and can 
protect you.” 

“There has been no shoo tin’ done yet, an’ I’ll not 
be the cause of the first bullet. It is better to give my- 
self up at once. ’ ’ 


84 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“You shall not,” and Sam clasped the miner around 
the waist. ‘ ‘ Try the back door ; it will be possible to 
give them the slip if you hurry.” 

Brace hesitated a moment as if unwilling to display 
anything which might be mistaken for cowardice, and 
then Fred and Sam literally forced him toward the 
door. 

‘ ‘ While you run I will attract the attention of the 
men,” Mrs. By ram said, as she showed herself at the 
window, and the miner sprang out at the very instant 
when half a dozen of the rioters entered the gate. 

“ Tryin’ to give us the slip, eh? ” one of the party 
cried, as all rushed forward. 

It was too late for Brace to return ; in a twinkling 
the men had surrounded him. Fred and Sam saw a 
short but sharp struggle, and before they could so much 
as make a move toward going to his assistance he w^as 
overpowered. 

Attracted by the cries of their companions, those at 
the front of the house came around swiftly, and Brace 
was half carried, half forced into the street. 

Mrs. Byram tried to plead with the mob ; but they 
pushed her aside without ceremony as they shouted : 

“We’ll show them at the store how we deal with 
spies and traitors. ’ ’ 

“We’ve got the rope and the sneak, now we only 
need two or three of the bosses to fix the thing up 
brown.” 

“ Do you suppose they really mean to hang him?” 
Fred asked in a tone of awe, and Sam replied sadly : 

“I’m afraid they will. Billings always was down 
on him, and the men are so excited as to hardly know 
what they are about, so anything is possible.” 


THE RESCUE 


85 


CHAPTER X 

THE RESCUE 

The capture of Brace seemed to inflame the passions 
of the mob, and not even while the buildings were being 
sacked was the town in such a state of excitement. 

By the time the prisoner had reached the vacant lot 
in front of the store it appeared as if every man, 
woman, and child in the village were on the street. 

Sam and Fred felt impelled to follow the howling, 
shrieking mob, although it was not probable they could 
aid the unfortunate man, and both pressed as near as 
possible. 

“Billings’ gang haven’t got possession of the mine 
yet,” Sam whispered. 

‘ ‘ How do you know ? ’ ’ 

“Because if that had happened we would see Bill 
Thomas or Donovan around here somewhere. ’ ’ 

“ Perhaps they have been made prisoners.” 

“ It isn’t likely. Even if they couldn’t hold their 
own it would be possible to retreat in good order, armed 
as they were.” 

“Don’t you suppose Mr. Wright will try to do 
something if these fellows really mean to hang 
Brace? ” 

“They are bound to help him; but I don’t see 
what can be done against so many.” 

Owing to the crowd around him it was impossible 
for the boys to see the prisoner. The men swayed to 
and fro as if fighting among themselves, and after a 
time the reason of these movements was made plain. 


86 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


Two long pieces of timber had been lashed together 
at one end, and set up like the letter V inverted. These 
were held in place by some of the mob, and drove 
through the fastenings at the top was a long rope. 

Billings was on hand acting as master of ceremonies, 
and when this portion of the work had been finished, 
he shouted : 

“Half a dozen of you take hold of the rope, an’ 
when I count three, string him up.”" 

In an agony of apprehension Fred looked toward 
the store. No one appeared at the door ; it seemed as 
if the bosses had abandoned Joe Brace. 

“Stand ready, boys!” Billings shouted. “We’ll 
soon show ’em how we serve out spies.” 

There was a moment of painful silence, during 
which more than one of the mob acted as if frightened 
because of the terrible crime about to be committed, 
and then an old miner cried : 

“Hold on ! This thing has gone far enough 1 ” 

‘ ‘ What do you mean ? ’ ’ Billings asked angrily. 

“ Just this; I joined your crowd to stand up for my 
rights not to commit murder. There’s been mischief 
done already, an’ the most of us will be sorry when 
we’ve had time to think the matter over.” 

‘ ‘ Hold your tongue and go home like the rest of 
the old women.” 

“I’ll stay where I am, an’ you’ll be the one to go 
home if the boys take my advice. ’ ’ 

Then continuing, the old man reminded the throng 
that he had worked at Farley’s longer than the majority 
could remember. He spoke of the fact, that until this 
day, there had been no mob rule ; intimated that they 


THK RESCUE 


87 


were blindly following one in whom very few ever 
reposed confidence, and asked if they were willing to 
hang a friend simply because Billings commanded it. 

The speech was a long one, and before twenty words 
were spoken as many determined-looking men gathered 
around Brace to prevent any harm from being done. 

“Don’t listen to the old fool,” Billings cried, in a 
voice hoarse with rage ; but now very few paid any 
attention to him, and, when the prisoner’s friend 
finished his appeal there was no danger a human life 
would be taken. 

Some of those who had been most eager to drag 
Brace away unloosened his bonds, and at least a 
hundred stood ready to defend him. 

At this juncture Mr. Wright came from the store, 
and the mob were in the proper frame of mind to listen. 

He explained the true condition of affairs, told 
exactly why the works had been shut down, and finished 
by promising to let the matter be forgotten, regardless 
of the amount of property destroyed, in case the mob 
should disperse. 

“ And if we go home, what then ? ” Billings asked, 
sneeringly. “We’ll starve to please you, eh?” 

“Those who attempted to flood the mine will not 
starve at Farley’s, for all in the plot must leave. Not 
one of that party can work here ; but the others shall 
be treated as before. ’ ’ 

“So we’re to be driven out? ” 

“Certainly. It isn’t probable any honest miner 
would care to work with those who may succeed in 
drowning their fellows simply to gratify a spite against 
the officers of the company. ’ ’ 


88 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


‘ ‘ It will take more than you to drive us away. ’ ’ 

“I can at least prevent you from entering the mine, 
and that I shall do even if it is necessary to station 
guards entirely around the property. Are you willing 
to go home now, men, with the assurance that work 
shall be resumed in the morning. ’ ’ 

“Ay, that we are, an’ glad of the chance. It was 
out of the fryin’-pan into the fire when we left one set 
of bosses to take up with Cale Billings an’ his cronies,” 
a miner shouted and immediately the mob dispersed, 
leaving the leaders standing in the lot, evidently con- 
sulting as to how their lost power might be regained. 

When Brace was at liberty he joined Sam and Fred, 
and the three walked to the latter’s home, neither 
speaking until they were inside. 

“Do you think the strike is really over?” Mrs. 
Byram asked, after Fred told her of what had oc- 
curred. 

“It is so far as the majority of the miners are con- 
cerned,” Brace replied; “but there’s no telling what 
Billings may contrive to do between now and morn- 
ing.” 

‘ ‘ I suppose those men are still in the mine trying to 
overpower Donovan’s party.” 

“Most likely; but now that Wright has got the 
upper hand there’s little chance they’ll be allowed to 
stay very long. 

Despite the excitement on every hand the occupants 
of Mrs. Byram’s cottage were glad to retire at the first 
opportunity, and before the tumult in the street had 
died away they sought the needed repose. It had been 
decided that Brace should remain for a while, since it 


THE RESCUE 89 

might be dangerous to meet Billings and his friends 
while they were smarting under the sting of defeat. 

At the usual hour next morning the whistle 
sounded, summoning the miners to work, and every 
one responded save those who had been warned to leave 
the town. 

Mr. Wright was at the entrance to the slope, and 
had a pleasant greeting for each man and boy, causing 
more than one to look ashamed because of the part 
taken in the wanton destruction of his property. 

Joe Brace and Sam went into the drift, leaving 
Fred with Chunky, and that young fellow said, as he 
seated himself at the chute : 

“ Things have been pretty lively ’round here, eh?” 

“I should say so. Were you out with the regu- 
lators ? ” 

“ I saw ’em once or twice.” 

“If you’ll take my advice you’ll leave that crowd. 
Skip Miller’s as bad as Billings. ” 

“Don’t speak so loud ; he’s lookin’ over this way, 
an’ may make things hot for you if much is said. ” 

“If he didn’t do anything yesterday I guess he 
ain’t dangerous.’’ 

“He couldn’t find you.” 

“Then he was lookin’ for me? ” 

“ That’s what I heard some of the fellers say.” 

“I should think he’d seen enough of such business; 
but if he hasn’t I’ll have to take care of myself.” 

“Be careful,” Chunky whispered. “He an’ some 
of the other fellers think you are more of a spy than 
Joe Brace was.” 

“ And they mean to flog me for it?” 


90 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“Skip says you told Mr. Wright about their 
droppin’ you in the shaft.” 

“'Hadn’t I the right to? Do you suppose I’ll let 
them try to kill me, and never open my mouth about 
it?” 

“Well, it ain’t safe, for he’s got a big crowd.” 

“ Then he hasn’t had enough of the riot?” 

“ It ain’t that ; but he says the regulators have got 
to stand up for their rights, an’ you haven’t paid your 
footin’ yet.’’ 

“And I don’t intend to. If any of them try to 
make me it’ll go hard with them.” 

At this point the machinery was started, the stream 
of coal and slate began to flow through the chute, 
and the breaker boys were forced to attend to their 
work. 

Several times during the morning Donovan spoke 
to Fred as he passed, and at twelve o’clock, when all 
hands were indulging in the forty minutes “nooning,” 
and Chunky had crossed over to speak with Skip, the 
breaker boss ate his lunch by the new boy’s side. 

“You didn’t come back again last night,” he 
said. 

“ No, sir. After Brace got away from the mob he 
and Sam went home with me. We didn’t think you’d 
need us when the trouble was nearly settled. ’ ’ 

“ Neither did we. As soon as the men found their 
senses Mr. Wright brought a lot of them up here, an’ 
we soon got rid of Billings’ friends.” 

‘ ‘ Had they begun to dig a tunnel ? ’ ’ 

“Bless you, yes, an’ were within a dozen feet of 
Bill Thomas’ party when we found them. If the row 


THK RESCUER 


91 


had lasted two hours longer we couldn’t be workin’ 
here to-day, an’ some of the boys would be under 
water.” 

“ Do you think the whole matter is finished? ” 

“Yes, so far as the majority of the men are con- 
cerned ; but Billings swears he .won’t be driven out of 
town, an’ he may manage to do more mischief.” 

“ Why don’t Mr. Wright have him arrested?” 

“Because he gave his word that nothin’ should be 
done to them as went home peaceably, an’ he couldn’t 
jump on Billings without bringing all hands into the 
scrape. ’Cordin’ to my way of thinkin’ we’ve got off 
cheap.” 

“Was Mr. Wright’s house damaged very much?” 

“ It’ll take a good many hundred dollars to put it in 
the same condition it was before ; but money doesn’t 
count when there’s been no blood spilled.” 

‘ ‘ Do you think there is any chance the men will try 
to hurt Brace now? ” 

“ That’s hard to say. You’re in as much danger as 
he is, for they know that you and Sam stood in with 
us, an’ it’s just possible some dirty trick will be played. 
You an’ Bill Thomas’ butty are to stop at the office to- 
night ; Mr. Wright wants to see you.” 

“What for?” 

‘ ‘ He’ll have to explain that. It’s time to go to 
work again ; be careful of yourself. 

Donovan walked away as the whistle sounded, and 
Chunky came back looking very stern. 

‘ ‘ You’ll get into more trouble by standin’ in with 
the bosses,’’ he said, in what sounded like a threatening 
tone. 


92 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


‘ ‘ Does Skip Miller think he can say who I shall 
talk with?” 

“Whether he does or not none of the fellers like 
bosses’ pets.” 

“Even if I was a ‘pet,’ as you call it, I can’t see 
how it concerns any one but myself ; almost anything 
is better than being a regulator. ” 

‘ ‘ I’ve told you what the fellers think, an’ that ends 
it ; look out for yourself after this.” 

‘ ‘ I can’t accuse you of ever looking out for me, not 
even when a hint might have saved me from a pound- 
ing.” 

Chunky made no reply, and Fred understood that, 
although the riot was ended, his position in the com- 
munity had not been bettered. One sample of mob rule 
evidently pleased the regulators, and they were prepared 
to assert their alleged rights more strongly than ever. 

When the day’s work was finished Joe Brace and 
Sam came for Fred, and he walked out of the breaker 
in their company, while Skip and his adherents stood 
near the building ready to take advantage of the first 
opportunity for mischief. 

“Don’t think we shan’t get a whack at you,” the 
leader cried. “Them fellers won’t alters be ’round, 
an’ when our time does come things’ 11 be worse than 
they was in the shaft. ’ ’ 

“ If I ever hear of your touchin’ Fred 111 take a 
hand in the row myself,” Brace said threateningly. 

“Oh, yes, you will,” Skip replied with a leer, and 
then led his followers down the road, each one making 
some insulting remark as he passed. 

“I’ll straighten that fellow out,” Joe said angrily. 


THK RESCUK 


93 


“He’s got the will to do most anything, an’ we must 
take him down a peg before it’ll be safe for you to 
move around. ” 

“ Don’t say anything to them, for it will only make 
matters worse. I’ll see to it that they don’t get another 
chance at me. Sam, Mr. Wright wants to see us at the 
store. Will you wait for us, Joe?” 

“ Indeed, I will. Till things get settled I want to 
keep my eye on both you boys.” 

The superintendent was in his office, at one end of 
the building, when the party entered, and he beckoned 
them to join him. 

“ Don’t hang back. Brace, for I wish to see you as 
well. I want to take your butty away, and give you 
Fred instead. How would you like that? “ 

“ First class, sir.” 

“I wish to have a few whom I can trust, on the 
lower level. I don’t ask for any spying : but expect to 
be informed if there is any serious mischief brewing. 
There may yet be some who will aid Billings to gain 
his revenge. Sam is to remain with Thomas ; but will 
work near you. ” 

“ Very well, sir,” and Brace rose to go, thinking the 
interview was at an end ; but Mr. Wright detained him. 

“The most important matter is concerning the old 
shaft and drifts, from which points very much mischief 
might be done. Sit down while we talk of it.” 

At this’moment Skip Miller entered unobserved by 
those in the office, and, seeing the occupants of the 
little room, made his way behind a pile of goods where 
he could hear very much of what the superintendent 
said. 


94 


DOWN THE) SDOP:^ 


CHAPTER XI 

BILLINGS AND SKIP 

JoK Brack did not appear to think there was much 
to fear from the late rioters, so far as the possibility of 
their making an entrance through the old shaft was 
concerned. 

‘ ‘ This end of the gallery is prett}^ well filled up al- 
ready,” he said, “an’ with a few loads of slate it can 
be shut off entirely, more especially after the doors are 
barred.” 

“ It is not from that portion of the mine that I ap- 
prehend any trouble. Look here,” and Mr. Wright 
spread on the desk before him a plan of the workings. 

‘ ‘ At this point you can see that an old drift runs par- 
allel with, and not more than three yards from our 
lower cut. The veins probably come together farther 
on.” 

“ It wouldn’t take a man very long to work his way 
through,” Joe said, reflectively. 

“ And not knowing where an attempt may be made, 
it will be very difficult to prevent mischief. ’ ’ 

“ Unless the old shaft should be guarded.” 

“To do that we should be obliged to station men 
entirely around our works, for here is the abandoned 
slope, and farther down the hill two or three places 
where an entrance could be effected.” 

“ But Billings an’ his crowd don’t know all this.” 

‘ ‘ Possibly not ; yet there are many of the older men 
who could tell the story. ’ ’ 

Joe shook his head in perplexity. 


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You four are to act as sentinels,’' said the Superintendent. Study this map and you will hit upon a scheme.” 




BII.I,INGS AND SKIP 


95 


‘ ‘ I am not warranted in hiring a large force of men 
as guards,” Mr. Wright continued, “and we must do 
that from the inside. You and Thomas, with these 
boys as helpers, shall work on the lower level, and I 
will take care that none but true men are near by.” 

‘ ‘ How will that mend matters ? ’ ’ 

“You four are to act as sentinels. It makes little 
difference how many loads you take out, for the com- 
pany will pay day w^ages.” 

“ Kven then I don’t see how we can do any- 
thing.” 

“You and Thomas must form some plan. Study 
this map, and I am confident you will hit upon a 
scheme. ’ ’ 

“Is there any chance that the drift’s choked with 
gas ? ’ ’ 

“Very little.” 

Joe was thoroughly puzzled, and after several mo- 
ments of silence Mr. Wright said : 

“Get your supper now, and then talk the matter 
over with Thomas. ’ ’ 

At this intimation that the interview was at an end, 
the miner left the office followed by the two boys, and 
when they were out of the store Skip Miller came from 
his hiding place without having been seen by the super- 
intendent or his clerks. 

The leader of the regulators lounged carelessly to- 
ward th€ door until satisfied no one was paying any 
particular attention to him, when he stepped briskly 
out, and walked rapidly to a groggery situated at the 
farther end of the town. 

Here, as he had anticipated, was Cale Billings and a 


96 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


select party of friends, all of whom were discussing 
their late defeat. 

Skip did not care to state the reason for his coming 
in the presence of the entire party, and waited patiently 
in one corner of the room until it should be possible to 
beckon the leader out of doors. 

“ Wright may think we’re whipped,” Billings was 
saying ; “but that’s where he makes a big mistake. He 
can’t drive us out of this town, no matter how much he 
may blow, an’ it won’t be many days before we’ll show 
what’s what.” 

“There’s little chance for us the way things look 
now,” one of the party said, with a laugh. 

‘ ‘ How do you know ? The folks ’ round here have 
seen what I can do, an’ they’ll soon find out that there’s 
a good deal of fight left. ’ ’ 

As he said this Billings looked first at one and then 
another to note the effect of his bold words, and in 
doing so chanced to see Skip, who immediately made 
a series of what he intended should be mysterious ges- 
tures. 

“What’s the matter with you?” the man asked, 
angrily ; but instead of replying. Skip placed his finger 
on his lips and quickly left the room. 

It was several moments before the leader understood 
he was wanted, and when this fact dawned upon him he 
followed, meeting the boy a few yards from the en- 
trance. 

“Was you cuttin’ up them monkey shines for me ? ” 
he asked in a surly tone. 

‘ ‘ Of course. ’ ’ 


“ Well, what’s wanted?” 


BII.LINGS AND SKIP 97 

“You jest said as how you’d like to get square with 
the company.” 

‘ ‘ S’posen I did ? Does that concern you ? ’ ’ 

“ P’raps I heard somethin’ ’round to the store you’d 
want to know. ’ ’ 

“Say, if you’ve got anything to tell, out with it, 
for I can’t fool away my time with you.” 

“ First I’ve got a trade to make.” 

“Talk quick.” 

‘ ‘ Do you know the new breaker boy ? The one 
what’s so thick with Wright an’ Joe Brace? ” 

“Yes.” 

“ I want to get square with him, an’ if you’ll help 
me do it I’ll tell what I heard a lot of ’em saying.” 

“ Was it anything I’d like to know?” 

“It’ll show jest how you can get the best of the 
whole crowd. ’ ’ 

“ Then I’ll do what I can, an’ be glad of the chance, 
’cause I’ve got a little score to settle with him myself.” 

Skip no longer hesitated ; but repeated in detail all 
he had heard while hiding in the store, Billings listen- 
ing with closest attention. 

“That’s the best piece of news I’ve heard for a 
year, my boy,” the latter said, “an’ you sha’n’t be 
the loser by tellin’ me. If you’ve got the nerve to do 
a little work after everything is ready, both the breaker 
boss an’ this new feller shall be where they can’t help 
themselves. ’ ’ 

The leader of the regulators felt exceedingly proud 
that the rioter should ask him to participate in the plot, 
and promised, without the least show of hesitation, to 
do anything which might be required of him. 

7 


98 


DOWN THE SDOPB 


“ How long before you’ll be ready?” he asked. 

‘ ‘ It may be a week ; but you drop in here for a 
minute every evenin’ so’s I can talk about the thing if 
the plans don’t work. There’s no use to be in a hurry 
over sich a job as this.” 

“I’ll show up reg’lar,” Skip cried gleefully, and 
then, as Billings re-entered the groggery, he hurried 
away to tell the good news to some of his chums. 

During this plotting Joe Brace and Bill Thomas 
were at Fred’s home discussing the best means of fol- 
lowing Mr. Wright’s instructions. The plan of the 
works was studied carefully ; but in it was found no so- 
lution to the problem, and when they retired that even- 
ing nothing definite had been decided upon. 

The night shift went to work as usual, and but for 
the evidences of wanton destruction a stranger would 
hardly have mistrusted that Farley’s had lately been a 
scene of rioting. 

On the following morning Fred passed through the 
breaker to speak to Donovan before entering the slope, 
and Skip Miller displayed the greatest excitement on 
seeing him. 

“I don’t know how it could have happened,” the 
breaker boss said, “for I haven’t told even my own 
wife that you was to be Joe’s butty ; but these young 
villains know all about it. I’ve heard Skip tellin’ his 
cronies, an’ I’m sure they’re up to some mischief. Be 
careful, an’ don’t go outside alone, leastways, not till 
the business of the riot has blown over. ’ ’ 

“I’ll look to it that they haven’t a chance to do 
much harm,” Fred replied, laughingly, as he passed on 
to learn the first duties of a miner. 


BII.I.INGS AND SKIP 


99 


Joe, Bill, and Sam accompanied Fred to his new 
working place, and the former said as they were being 
let down the incline : 

“ I hear Billings swears he won’t leave town.” 

“I passed him on my way home last night,” Bill 
added, ‘ ‘ and he warned me agin keepin’ Sam as my 
butty.” 

“Why?” 

“ He says he is a spy, hand in glove with you, an’ 
that all who work with them as give information to the 
bosses will catch it rough.” 

Bill Thomas laughed as he said this ; but Joe looked 
serious. 

“ I don’t like this way of working. The lower level 
is bad enough without thinkin’ all the time that some- 
body is try in’ to do a fellow up.” 

“Nonsense. Barkin’ dogs don’t often bite, an’ so 
long as we know he means mischief there ain’t much 
chance of trouble. The thing to be figgered out is, 
how’re we goin’ to fix this job?” 

Again the two men discussed the situation, walking 
along the drift with the plans before them, while the 
boys were forced to be content with listening to the 
conversation. 

It was finally decided that they should work here 
and there along the entire cut, trusting that it would be 
possible to hear if any one began to dig on the opposite 
side. 

“ It’s a case of keepin’ quiet an’ listenin’ for suspi- 
cious sounds,” Bill said. “We won’t try to get out 
coal to-day, an’, perhaps, by night Mr. Wright will have 
a better plan.” 


lOO 


DOWN THE SEOPK 


“By watchin’ Billings we could get some kind 
of an idea as to when he was likely to begin opera- 
tions.” 

“ Donovan promised to see to that part of it.” 

“Then we’ll kinder lay ’round till we get the hang 
of the place. You boys go on to the end of the drift an’ 
comeback. Don’t make any noise.” 

“The forenoon was spent in what was little more 
than patrol duty, and when Mr. Wright came below he 
approved of their plans. Nothing better was suggested, 
and until night-fall all four paced to and fro, the other 
miners having been withdrawn from the drift. 

When evening came Skip did not wait to see if Fred 
came out ; but hurried off to the groggery where he was 
made happy by Billings’ extreme friendliness. 

‘ ‘ The leader of the mob arose immediately upon 
seeing him, and led the way outside, saying when they 
were some distance from the building : 

“ I’ve been thinkin’ over what you told me, an’ am 
certain we can work this thing all right. ’ ’ 

“When?” 

“ In a day or two. If you could manage to get hold 
of that paper the job might be done in a jiffy.” 

“But Joe an’ Bill have got it.” 

“ S’posen they have. A smart lad like you oughter 
find some way to get at it, an’ it would be worth your 
while to try.” 

“ It couldn’t be done.” 

. “ P’raps not by you ; but I know of some, no older 

wian you, who’d have it before morning. Of course, I 
don’t blame a boy for not try in’ when he hasn’t the 


nerve 


A SINGULAR ACCIDENT 


lOI 


“See here,” Skip cried, impatiently, “haven’t I 
showed grit enough to do most anything?” 

“ If you have, prove it by gettin’ hold of that paper.” 

“ I can’t see what you want it for?” 

‘ ‘ Because it shows us all the levels. With it we 
can tell jest where to begin work.” 

“I’ll make a try for it anyhow; but I can’t figger 
any way to get at it.” 

“ Watch for a chance. They won’t keep it in their 
hands all the time, and, by knockin’ off work now an’ 
then, loafin’ ’round near where they are, you’ll soon 
have your hands on it.” 

“ You won’t go back on me if I get into trouble?” 

“ Don’t worry about that ; I never shake a friend.” 

With this assurance Skip walked away feeling very 
happy because of the manner in which Billings spoke ; 
but sadly perplexed as to the best course to accomplish 
the desired end. 


CHAPTER XII 

A SINGULAR ACCIDENT 

Two trustworthy men had been selected from the 
night shift to keep guard on the lower level during the 
time between sunset and sunrise, and about an hour be- 
fore the relieving whistle sounded, not having heard 
any suspicious noises, they lounged down toward the 
slope where the miners were at work. 

Here, paying but little attention to what was going 
on around them, they conversed with the laborers, or 


102 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


smoked pipes as black as their faces, in order to while 
away the moments which must elapse before the labor 
was ended. 

Men were passing and re-passing on every hand, and 
in the darkness no one saw a small figure, in whose cap 
the lamp was not lighted, run swiftly from the foot of 
the slope up the drift where the sentinels should have 
been. 

On either side of the passage shallow cuttings had 
been made that the miners might step aside to avoid the 
cars as they were drawn to and fro. Into one of these 
the figure with the unlighted cap glided, and, crouching 
in the farthest corner was screened from view unless a 
careful search should be made. 

When the day shift came on duty Chunky reported 
to the breaker boss that Skip Miller could not come to 
work on this day. 

“ Why not? ” Donovan asked sharply. 

“ ’Cause he’s got to do somethin’ at home. He told 
me to tell you.” 

“ When did you see him ?” 

“Last night.” 

“Where?” 

“Over by Taylor’s.” 

“ What were you doin’ at that grogshop?” 

“ Nothin’. I was jest walkin’ around, an’ met him.” 

“ Look here, Chunky, it will be best for you to keep 
away from that place. No decent man or boy would go 
there, an’ I’d be sorry to know you trained with the 
regulators. I’ve got my eye on them fellers, an’ when 
trade is dull they’ll be the first to get their walkin’ 
papers.” 


A SINGUI.AR ACCIDENT 


103 


“ If father don’t care what I do, it ain’t any business 
of yours, so long as I work from whistle to whistle. ” 

“ That’s very true ; but I shall make it my business 
to see what your father has to say about it.” 

This threat had the effect of checking the almost 
insolent air Chunky had begun to display, and he went 
to his place at the chute very meekly. 

While this brief conversation was being held Joe and 
Bill, with their helpers, entered the lower level where 
the careless sentinels reported matters as being quiet. 

“We haven’t heard more’n a rat since you left,” 
one of them said. ‘ ‘ I don’t believe Billings has got the 
nerve to try any funny business, an’ in this case Mr. 
Wright is more frightened than hurt.” 

“That’s a good fault, matey,” Bill replied gravely. 
“It’s better to have half a dozen of us nosin’ around 
for a week or two, than run the risk of what Cale an’ 
his friends may do.” 

“Oh, I ain’t kickin’; but it don’t seem reasonable 
they could get into the old drift, for it must be choked 
with gas.” 

‘ ‘ By findin’ that out we might save a good deal of 
work,” Joe replied, quickly. “ It wouldn’t take long 
to cut through where the wall is thinnest. ” 

“ You’re right mate, an’ we’ll get at it now. Boys, 
go over to the blacksmith’s for four shovels,” Bill added 
as he pulled the plans from his pocket. 

Sam and Fred obeyed, and while they were absent 
the two men studied the drawing for at least the hun- 
dreth time. 

Save for those who were seated on a block of coal 
poring over the paper, the drift was deserted, and the 


104 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


one who had secreted himself in the cutting crept si- 
lently forward until it was possible to see what the 
miners were doing. 

As a matter of course this party was Skip Miller, and 
he said to himself, with a chuckle of satisfaction : 

“ With all day before me it’ll be queer if I can’t get 
what Billings wants.” 

When Sam and Fred returned Bill had decided at 
which point the excavation should be made, and he said, 
designating a spot hardly more than a dozen yards from 
where Skip was hidden : 

“If the plan is co’rect this oughter be our place. 
We’ll try it anyhow. You boys tell one of the drivers 
to bring up a car, for we don’t want to choke the drift 
with dirt.” 

Then Bill stuck his pick in the wall, which was made 
up of earth and slate. Skip, who sat directly opposite, 
had a full view of all that was done. 

When the car had been brought into position Bill 
told Sam and Fred to shovel into it what he and Joe 
threw from the cutting, and soon all four were working 
industriously. 

Before the time for “nooning” arrived it became 
necessary to shore up the top of the tunnel lest the mass 
of earth should fall and bury the laborers, and when this 
was done both the men entered the excavation, which 
was now twelve feet in length. 

In this confined space the air was oppressively warm, 
and the miners threw off their blouses, leaving them in 
the drift near the entrance. 

Skip knew that in the pocket of the one worn by 
Bill was the paper he had been instructed to steal, and 


A SINGUI.AR ACCIDENT 


105 


he watched eagerly for an opportunity to creep up un- 
observed. 

While Sam and Fred were at work it was impossible 
to do this ; but the car had been nearly filled, and in a 
short time it would be necessary to get another. 

The men could no longer throw the dirt from where 
they were working to the entrance, and Fred had been 
ordered to stand midway the cutting that he might pass 
it on to Sam. 

“ 111 run this car down, an’ get another if you’ll give 
me a lift at starting it,” Sam finally shouted, and Fred 
came out. 

The incline was sufficient to carry the rude vehicle to 
the switches at the foot of the slope after it was once set 
in motion, and, using a crowbar as a lever, this was 
soon accomplished. 

Sam ran behind it a few paces, and then clambered 
up to the brake where he could control the movements 
of the heavy load. 

Fred watched him until the tiny flame in his cap 
was lost to view in the distance, and then he returned 
to the tunnel, unconscious that Skip had glided from his 
hiding-place to follow closely behind. 

It was necessary the leader of the regulators should 
work with the utmost celerity, for if Fred turned he 
would distinguish the dark form even in the gloom. 

Skip had already formed a plan. 

He crept close behind the boy whom he hated, until 
the latter entered the tunnel. Then stooping he picked 
up the crowbar, and raised it for a blow. In this posi- 
tion he waited until Fred was in the middle of the tun- 
nel clambering over the pile of dirt to get at his shovel. 


io6 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


The time had come. 

Swinging the heavy bar once around he struck the 
bottom of the joist which supported the shoring over 
head, and the heavy timbers, put up insecurely be- 
cause they were to be used but temporarily, fell with a 
crash. 

The jar disturbed the earth at the top, and large 
masses fell, completely filling the entrance, burying 
alive those who were on the inside. 

“That settles them, I reckon,” Skip cried, gleefully, 
as, unmindful of the blinding dust, he sprang toward 
Bill’s blouse. 

To find the plan of the mine was but the work of a 
moment, and then, with the precious document thrust 
in the bosom of his shirt, he started at full speed toward 
the entrance to the slope. 

The crash of the timbers and earth was by no means 
an unusual sound in the mine, where heavy masses of 
coal were constantly being detached by blasts, and the 
leader of the regulators had good reason to believe it 
would be unnoticed. His only care was to avoid Sam, 
in case he should return sooner than might be expected, 
and to this end he darted from one cutting to another, 
until having reached a point from which, at the proper 
moment, he could gain the slope. 

Here he remained partially screened from view until 
the empty car, which Sam was to send to the new cut- 
ting, had passed on its way up the drift. 

Now he listened intently, and in a few moments 
came the cry : 

“A break ! A break, and three men buried ! Help 
on the lower level ! ” 


A SINGULAR ACCIDENT 


107 


Those who were near enough to hear this appeal 
sent the alarm from drift to drift up the slope, until the 
entire mine seemed to be ringing with the words : 

“ Help is needed on the lower level !” 

In view of all that happened, together with the 
knowledge that if any attack was made by the Billings’ 
gang it would be on the lower level, every workman ran 
with all speed to the bottom of the slope, and among 
the foremost was Mr. Wright. 

“ What has happened?” he asked of a blacksmith, 
who was darting toward the chamber in which the tools 
were stored. 

“ Bill Thomas, Joe Brace, and a butty are buried in ' 
a cutting the fools were makin’ up there a piece.” 

“ Go back,” Mr. Wright cried to the swarm of men 
which came down the slope like a living stream. “Not 
more than twelve can work to advantage, and we have 
that number here.” 

“ But we want to do our share,” an old miner replied. 

“You shall have a chance if we do not find them 
soon. It is not safe to have so many here at once.” 

All hands understood the reason for this caution, 
and as the crowd turned to ascend Skip Miller slipped 
from his hiding place and joined them. He did not 
fear detection while every one was in such a state of ex- 
citement, and even if he should be recognized it would 
be only natural for him to have followed the men at 
the first alarm. 

It was necessary, however, that he should avoid 
Donovan, and with the utmost caution he emerged from 
the slope, running as fast as his legs would carry him 
on reaching the open air. 


io8 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


Not until Taylor’s groggery was near at hand did he 
slacken speed, and then, assuming as best he could an 
air of composure, he opened the door cautiously to 
peep in. 

Cale Billings was the only customer, and on seeing 
Skip, he cried : 

“Come in, lad. I reckon you’re here to see 

me. 

Struggling hard to prevent his heavy breathing 
from being observed by the proprietor, the leader of the 
regulators entered, and whispered : 

‘ ‘ There’s been an accident on the lower level, an’ 
two or three shut in.” 

“ Explosion?” 

“ The top of the cuttin’ fell in, an’ it won’t be a easy 
job to dig ’em out.” 

“Was you there? ” 

Sam nodded his head in a triumphant manner. 

“You’re a lad after my own heart,” Billings said, 
approvingly, as he extended a huge, grimy hand for 
the boy to shake. “If half the men here had your 
spunk Wright wouldn’t have got the best of us so easy. 
Did you fix that thing I told you about? ” 

Skip nodded his head, and again Billings shook his 
hand. 

“That’s what I call business. Eet’s have it.” 

The leader of the regulators was about to draw the 
dearly-earned document from his pocket when the 
proprietor of the place interfered. 

“ None of that,” he said sharply. “There’s some- 
thin’ goin’ on what ain’t straight, an’ I won’t have it in 
my shop.” 


A SINGUI.AR ACCIDENT 


109 


“Do you mean to go back on a friend?” Billings 
asked in an injured tone. 

“ Not a bit of it ; but the company are lookin’ after 
you mighty sharp, Cale, an’ I don’t want to get in 
trouble. There’s plenty room out of doors. ” 

“ All right, the shop belongs to you ; but it may be 
the losin’ of a good customer, ” and Billings walked out 
with Skip close at his heels. 

“Now give me the paper.” 

When the document was delivered the man glanced 
at it to make sure it was the one wanted, and then said 
in a fatherly tone : 

‘ ‘ I reckon you’ve fixed things to suit yourself if the 
new breaker boy was in the cuttin’ when the roof fell.” 

“They’re diggin’ for him now; but I’m goin’ to 
get the worst of this job.” 

“How so?” 

“Taylor will blow the whole thing, an’ then Wright 
will know it was me.” 

“Ain’t I here to protect yer ? ” 

“Yes; but ” 

“Don’t worry, my son. Go into the breaker as if 
nothin’ had happened.” 

“I can’t ’cause I sent word I wouldn’t come to- 
day.” 

“ Then keep out of sight till night, and meet me on 
the railroad track after dark. We’ll have this job 
mighty nigh done before morning. ” 

Billings was walking toward the slope, and not dar- 
ing to follow him any farther. Skip ran swiftly in the 
opposite direction, wondering where he could hide until 
sunset. For the first time he began to fear the conse- 


I lO 


DOWN THE) SlyOPK 


quences of his cruel deed, and the thought that the 
officers of the law might soon be in search of him was 
by no means reassuring. 

He sought the shelter of the thicket farther up the 
hill where a view of the slope could be had, and there 
he waited, expecting each moment to see lifeless bodies 
brought from the mine. 


CHAPTER XHI 

BURIKD ADIVK 

At the moment when Skip Miller knocked away the 
joist which supported the timbers at the top of the tun- 
nel, Fred had stooped to pick up his shovel, and this 
position saved him from being instantly killed. 

One end of the shoring plank was yet held by the 
upright placed in the center of the cutting, and it re- 
mained at an angle, although pinning him down, while 
the earth covered him completely. 

For a moment he was at a loss to know what had 
happened, and then he heard, as if from afar off, Joe 
calling him by name. 

“ Here I am under the timber,” he replied. 

‘ ‘ Are you hurt much ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I think not ; but I shall stifle to death if the dirt 
isn’t taken away soon.” 

“It ain’t a sure thing that you won’t stifle even 
then,” he heard Bill say sharply. “Take hold, mate, 
an’ let’s get him from beneath while we have a chance 
to breathe. ’ ’ 


BURIKD ABIVE 


III 


Then the grating of the shovels was distinguished, 
and pound by pound the weight was removed until 
nothing save the timber held him down. 

“ Can you get out now? ” Joe asked, and his voice 
sounded strangely indistinct. 

“Not till the joist is pulled away.” 

“When that is done it’s safe to say tons of the roof 
will follow,” Bill muttered, and Joe asked : 

“ Does it hurt you much, lad? ” 

“ The edges are cutting into my back terribly.” 

“Grin an’ bear it as long as you can. Our only 
chance for life is to break through the wall into the old 
tunnel ; but if that timber is taken away it’s good-bye 
for all hands.” 

“ Then don’t bother about me. It’s better one died 
than three.” 

There was no reply to this. The men were digging 
at the barrier of earth with feverish energy, and each 
instant respiration became more difficult. The slight 
amount of air which filtered through the bank of slate 
and sand w'as no more than sufficient for one pair of 
lungs. 

The darkness was profound. The lamps had been 
extinguished by the shock, and five minutes later it 
was impossible to re-light them. The oxygen had be- 
come so nearly exhausted that a match would not burn. 

Fred bit his lips to prevent an outcry. The huge 
timber was crushing him slowly but surely, and the 
pain was intense. 

Bach instant the blows of the men grew fainter. 
Strength and even the power of movement was rapidly 
succumbing to the noxious vapor. 


1 12 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


Joe was the first to give up, and as the pick fell 
from his nerveless hands he said faintly : 

“It’s all over, lads. We might as well pull the 
timber from Fred, and die at the same moment.” 

“Don’t weaken, mate,” Bill said, imploringly. 
‘ ‘ Who knows but we’re within a few inches of the 
other drift.” 

“ Even if that’s true, the chances are we’ll be stifled 
by the gas. ” 

‘ ‘ The alarm may be given in time to save us from 
the entrance.” 

“ Sam can’t have come back yet, an’ before any one 
knows what has happened we shall be dead.” 

Joe had lost all courage and the apathy of despair 
was upon him. His words robbed Fred of the last 
hope, and as it fled consciousness deserted him. 

Bill delivered a few more feeble blows with the pick, 
and then he in turn sank to the ground. 

The hand of death was very nearly upon them, and 
the agonies of dissolution already passed. 

Within a few feet of where the unconscious men 
lay, willing hands were working at the obstruction. 
No more than three could labor at once, but these were 
relieved every two minutes, in order that their energy 
might not be impaired by weariness, and meanwhile 
others shoveled the slate and earth into cars, that the 
drift might be kept clear. 

Mr. Wright personally assisted in the labor, and it 
was he who began the cheering which ensued when an 
aperture was made in the barrier. 

“At it with a will, boys,” he shouted, “but be 
careful about removing the timber, for some of the poor 
fellows may be beneath it.” 


BURIED AUIVE 


II3 

The foul air rushing out nearly overcame the labor- 
ers, but the eager rescuers heeded not their own peril, 
and the moment finally came when the unconscious ones 
were fully exposed to view. 

“ Pass out the men, and then dig beneath the boy ; 
he must be released in that manner, otherwise we may 
all share their fate,” and Mr. Wright shoveled the 
earth carefully away from Fred, while the others car- 
ried Joe and Bill into the drift. 

From his place of concealment on the hillside Skip 
Miller saw a party of men come out of the slope bearing 
an ominous looking burden. 

“ One of them is dead,” he whispered to himself, as 
his face paled. 

Then came another party, and a few seconds later 
the third, each carrying a similar load, marched down 
the road leading to the village. 

The sight nearly overpowered Skip ; he shook as if 
in an ague fit, and after staring at the sad spectacle un- 
til the men had passed from view, he turned and ran 
through the grove, believing the officers were close 
upon him. 

The news that two miners and a boy had probably 
been killed spread through the village rapidly, and Cale 
Billings was in Taylor’s groggery when one of the late 
rioters brought the intelligence. 

“ It’s a wonder they don’t accuse us of havin’ some- 
thin’ to do with the accident,” the newcomer added, 
and the proprietor said sternly : 

“ I don’t want to drive customers away, but if any 
who come here have had a hand in murder, they’d bet- 
ter not show their heads ’round this place again.” 

8 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


II4 


Billings looked disturbed, but made no reply. Al- 
though having had no direct share in the crime, he 
knew he was really an accomplice, and the knowledge 
that Taylor might inform against him was by no means 
pleasant. 

It was eight o’clock in the evening when Skip ven- 
tured to come down from the hillside, and he looked 
like a boy who had been very ill. Even at this late 
hour he did not dare to walk through the village, but 
skulked around the outskirts until he saw Chunky, 
whom he hailed in a whisper. 

“ Where have you been?” Fred’s chute mate asked 
in surprise. 

“ I had some work on the other side of the hill.” 

“ Have you been there all day ? ” 

“Yes. Jest got back. Are those fellows dead ! ” 

Ordinarily Chunky was not quick to arrive at con- 
clusions, but now he asked in a suspicious tone : 

‘ ‘ How did you know anything about it if you’ve 
jest got back ? ” 

“ Oh, I heard from some of the fellows.” 

“Who?” 

“ Never mind,” and Skip spoke sharply. 

“ Did they all get killed ? ” 

“ None of ’em ; but the doctor says Fred won’t be 
over it for three or four days. Joe an’ Bill are both in 
bed, though they’ll be out in the morning.” 

“ Does Wright know who did it?” 

“Did what?” 

‘ ‘ Why, knock — w^hatever was done. ” 

“I thought the roof of a cuttin’ fell in ’cause it 
wasn’t shored up enough.” 


BURIKD AI,IVE^ 


II5 

“I s’pose that was the reason,” Skip replied in a 
nervous way. 

“ It seems to me you know more about this thing 
than anybody else.” 

“You’d better not say that again,” and Skip stepped 
forward a few paces with clenched fists. 

“You can get the best of me, so I’ll have to hold 
my tongue ; but I reckon I’ve had all I want of the 
regulators. Tryin’ to kill a feller who never did much 
of anything to you is a mean trick. ” 

“Shut up or I’ll knock your head off. You can’t 
back out of our s’ciety, an’ if you ever say I tried to 
kill anybody I’ll pound you till there won’t be an inch 
of skin left.” 

Chunky did not wait to hear more. He started at 
full speed toward his own home, and Skip was more 
alarmed than before. 

“ Now I’m in a worse scrape than ever, for he’s jest 
fool enough to tell what he knows, an’ then there will 
be trouble. I’d better go to meet Billings, an’ perhaps 
he can help me out. ’ ^ 

He could reach the rendezvous without going 
through the village, and greatly to his relief the leader 
of the rioters was waiting to receive him. 

“ Now this is somethin’ like business,” and Billings 
patted the boy on the head. 

Skip stepped back ; the touch of the man’s hand 
now, when through him he had gotten into so much 
trouble, was disagreeable. 

“ What am I to do ?” he asked fiercely. 

“Help me finish what you’ve begun.” 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


1 16 


“ I won’t do it. They’ll have me arrested, an’ you 
must get me through the scrape.” 

“So I will after I’ve served the company out. 
We’ll go off somewhere together.” 

‘ ‘ And I’m to leave home ? ” 

“ There’s nothin’ for it if Wright gets the idea that 
you knocked the timber away. ” 

“ If he doesn’t know it already there are them who 
will tell him. Chunky thinks I did somethin’ to help 
the thing along.” 

“He does, eh?” and now Billings began to look 
disturbed. “ Is he likely to go to any of the bosses ? ” 

“ He might tell some one else who would do it.” 

“That’s true. What with him an’ Taylor, things 
begin to seem kinder scarey for me.” 

“ I’m in worse trouble. ” 

“You’re right, an’ that shows we two must keep 
together. ” 

“ But I don’t want to leave home.” 

“ You can’t help yourself. Once in the scrape, it’s 
bad to back out.” 

Skip had good evidence that the way of the trans- 
gressor is hard. He felt a decided repugnance to be- 
coming Billings’ constant companion, but he dared not 
go home, and it seemed as if there was no other course 
left open. 

“ It won’t do to stay here very long, for folks might 
see us, and it wouldn’t be hard to guess we were up to 
mischief. Will you go with me, or take the chances of 
bein’ arrested ? ” 

“I’ll have to do what you say,” Skip replied with a 


BURIKD ABIVK 


I17 

groan, and Billings started straight across the hill to- 
ward the abandoned shaft. 

‘ ‘ Where are you going ? ’ ’ 

“We’ll hide for a while. It ain’t safe to loaf ’round 
here much longer. Here’s a dollar. Go to Taylor’s 
an’ get somethin’ to eat. Tell him I want cooked food, 
’cause I’m bound on a tramp.” 

“ I don’t dare show up there.” 

“ Move on, or I’ll break every bone in your body! 
You’ve got to toe the mark now if you don’t want to go 
to jail.” 

Billings used the tone of a master, and Skip under- 
stood that his crime had brought him to slavery of the 
most degrading kind. 

The groggery was filled with men when he arrived, 
and in the number he found safety. All were excitedly 
discussing the accident, some intimating that Billings 
had a hand in it, and no one paid any particular atten- 
tion to the frightened boy who crept cautiously in, as if 
to avoid being seen. 

“ Wants grub, eh? ” Taylor asked, when Skip made 
known his errand. “ What’s he up to ? Afraid they’ll 
nab him for what was done to-day? ” 

“ I don’t know.” 

“Now, look here. Skip Miller, I ain’t got any too 
much love for you, but it don’t seem right to let a boy 
go on as you’ve begun. Go home now, an’ leave Bil- 
lings to take care of his own business.” 

“ If I don’t carry back the stuff he’ll say I stole his 
money. ” 

“ Well, take the grub, an’ then get back as soon as 
you know how.” 


ii8 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“All right,” Skip replied meekly. 

“If you’re not home in half an hour I’ll see your 
father to-night. ” 

“ I wish I dared to go,” Skip said to himself as he 
hurried away with the bundle. “ Workin’ in the 
breaker ain’t a marker to what it’ll be runnin’ around 
with Cale Billings.” 


CHAPTER XIV 

PRECAUTIONS 

Not until two days had elapsed were the victims of 
the ‘ ‘ accident ” able to leave their rooms, and then they 
met Sam and Mr. Wright at Mrs. Byram’s home. 

“ We’ll be ready for work in the morning,” Bill said 
in reply to the superintendent’s inquiries. “What 
troubles me is that I’ve lost the plan of the old mine. 
It was in my blouse when the timber fell, an’ ” 

“How that joist could have got away without some 
one to help it is what worries me,” Joe interrupted. 
“I set it, an’ know the weight from above could not 
have any effect.” 

‘ ‘ There is no chance of foul play. The level has 
been guarded night and day, therefore, unless our 
trusted men are at fault, it was purely an accident.” 

“I’m not say in’ it wasn’t ; but yet the whole busi- 
ness looks queer,” and with this remark Joe dismissed 
the subject from his mind. 

Mr. Wright had come to learn when the guardians 
of the level would be ready to return to duty, and Bill’s 
answer sufficed. 


PRECAUTIONS 


II9 

“The men who have been there during the past 
twenty-four hours shall be given other work in the 
morning, and once more I can rely on you. Thus far 
nothing suspicious has been seen or heard,” he said, 
‘ ‘ and I begin to believe Billings has given up his 
thoughts of revenge. The only strange thing is that 
Miller’s boy has disappeared, and his father can think 
of no reason why he should run away.” 

“Farley’s won’t be the loser if he never comes 
back,” Joe replied. “That boy is a bad one, an’ it 
wouldn’t take much to make me believe he an’ Billings 
are firm friends.” 

‘ ‘ There is no necessity of talking about him ; we 
are not afraid of boys. The question is whether we 
are warranted in guarding the lower level much 
longer.” 

‘ ‘ That’s for you to say, sir. We had rather be at 
our regular work.” 

“Well, we’ll try it a day or two more. Perhaps 
you’d better break through into the old drift, and then 
we shall know whether it is possible for evil-disposed 
persons to find a hiding place there.” 

This closed the interview so far as Mr. Wright was 
concerned, and on his leaving the house the others dis- 
cussed the work to be done the following day ; but 
Skip Miller’s disappearance had little place in the con- 
versation. 

Bill mourned the loss of the plan, which was sup- 
posed to be the only guide to the old mine, but Joe did 
not think it was of such very great importance. 

“All we care to know is whether the air’s foul, an’, 
of course, the best way is to finish the tunnel which 


120 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


came so near finishin’ us. That work can be done with- 
out any guide.” 

“ But we may want to follow up the drift, which will 
be a long job if we have to go on blindly.” 

“There’s no use fussin’ over what can’t be helped. 
The paper got trampled into the dirt, most likely, other- 
wise them as have been lookin’ would ’a found it before 
this.” 

“ I don’t feel like givin’ over the search so easy; 
s’pose we four have a reg’lar hunt in the morning? ” 

“Sam and I will go now,” Fred said. We shall 
feel better for a little exercise after being cooped up in 
the house so long.” 

“ Very well. Take a turn at it this afternoon, an’ if 
you don’t succeed Joe an’ I’ll try to-night.” 

The boys set off without delay, but they were a long 
while reaching the slope, for every person on the street 
thought it necessary to congratulate them upon having 
escaped a terrible death, and at the breaker Donovan 
delayed the search by making minute inquiries as to 
the condition of affairs in the drift just prior to the 
accident. 

‘ ‘ Any one would think from all these questions that 
you believed somebody was responsible for the trouble,” 
Sam said with a laugh. 

“ P’rhaps I do. Billings an’ Skip Miller disappeared 
on the same day, an’ that looks suspicious to me, 
though Mr. Wright won’t listen to anything of the 
kind.” 

“It’s a big satisfaction to know they have left,” 
Fred added, “ and we have gotten rid of them cheaply. 
Do you know where they went?” 


PRECAUTIONS 


I2I 


‘ ‘ Out of the village somewhere ; Harvey saw them 
walking up the track.” 

“ Then we can reckon that there’ll be no more mis- 
chief done for a while. Come on, Fred, let’s get down 
the slope. ” 

The boys left the breaker without noticing that 
Chunky was trying to attract their attention, and were 
soon in the lower level making a systematic search. 

Shoveling over the loose dirt along the track, they 
continued on until the cutting which had so nearly been 
a grave for Fred was passed, and then Sam said as he 
halted : 

“ It’s no use to hunt here. It couldn’t have got up 
this way.” 

“ The draught may have carried it quite a distance.” 

“ There ivSn’t air enough stirrin’ to move it a foot ; 
but it won’t do much harm to look.” 

They were nearly at the chamber where Sam was 
taken prisoner before Fred abandoned the hunt, and as 
he turned to retrace his steps both came to a sudden 
halt. 

As if from beneath their feet arose a muffled cry of 
distress. 

The boys looked at each other in alarm, and as they 
stood motionless the mysterious sound w’as repeated. 

“ What can it mean? ” Fred asked in a whisper. 

“That’s more’n I can tell. There’s no drift below 
this.” 

“ That was surely a human being, and in trouble of 
some kind. ” 

“ Perhaps the cry comes from the end of the drift 
which has been closed.” 


122 


DOWN THK SLOP® 


“ It sounds under the ground right here,” and Fred 
stamped with his foot just as the noise was heard for 
the third time. 

‘ ‘ There’s no question about it’s being a man. Come 
on ; let’s bring some of the miners to help find him.” 

The boys ran down the drift at full speed, and half 
an hour later returned with two of the miners. 

” It was right here that we heard it,” Sam said, as 
he pointed to the shovels they had left behind, in order 
to mark the spot. 

The party listened intently, but no sound save their 
own breathing could be distinguished. 

” I thought you’d been frightened about nothing,” 
one of the miners said with a laugh. “You might as 
well tell us the mine was haunted as to give out such a 
yarn. I’ll guarantee that nothin’ larger’ n a mouse 
could hide here.” 

“ But we surely heard a cry,” Fred insisted. 

“ And it seemed to come from beneath our feet.” 

“Nonsense. It’s foolish to make such talk when 
we know the thing’s impossible,” and the men turned 
away as if angry at having been brought so far on a 
useless errand. 

‘ ‘ We know whether ” 

Sam ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that mo- 
ment the sound of distress came with great distinct- 
ness. 

The men looked around, each trying to hide his 
fear, and then a regular search was begun. 

The noise could not have come from the old drift, 
and the level was examined thoroughly, but without 
success. 


PRECAUTIONS 


123 


“It beats me,” one of the miners said at length. 

‘ ‘ I’m sure there’s nothing beneath here but the solid 
earth.” 

“I^et the boys tell Wright,” the other suggested, 
and his companion assented. 

“ We’ll hang around here till he comes or you get 
back ; but don’t stay very long, for I don’t like the 
looks of things.” 

“Why not?” 

“ It may be a warnin’ for some of us. I’ve heard 
tell of such.” 

Fred laughed heartily, and the man replied impa 
tiently : 

‘ ‘ When you’ve been in a mine as long as I have, 
you won’t think there’s any fun to be made of warnin’s. 
Before the explosion of fire damp in the old workings, 
I’ve been told the miners heard all kinds of queer 
noises. ” 

“ Go on,” the second man said fretfully, “an’ don’t 
waste time chinnin’ here when p’rhaps we oughter be 
gettin’ out to save our lives.” 

The boys started, feeling a trifle disturbed because 
of the unexplainable cries, and arrived at the store as 
the whistle sounded for the night shift to begin work. 

The superintendent was surprised by the informa- 
tion brought, and insisted, as had the miners, that the 
sounds could not have been made by a human being. 

“I will go down the slope at once, however,” he 
said, and the boys accompanied him on what proved to 
be a useless errand. 

Every portion of the lower level was searched. A 
party descended the old shaft, traversing the abandoned 


124 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


passages to the chamber connecting with the new por- 
tion of the workings, but nowhere could be seen any 
signs of life. 

Joe and Bill, alarmed because the boys had not re- 
turned, came to look for them in time to join the ex- 
ploring parties, and the latter was decidedly uneasy 
when Mr. Wright ordered the useless labor to be 
stopped. 

He, in common with several others, believed the 
mysterious noises to be warnings, and there was every 
evidence of a panic until Mr. Wright spoke at consider- 
able length on the subject, intimating that the cries 
were due to natural causes. 

Then those who were off duty went home, and 
among them were Joe, Bill, and their helpers. 

These last discussed the subject without arriving at 
any definite conclusion when the time to separate ar- 
rived. 

On the following morning work was resumed in the 
cutting. The loose earth having been cleared away, a 
reasonably solid roof was put up, and once more the 
tunneling operations were pushed forward vigorously. 

All hands were on the alert for a repetition of the 
mysterious cries, but nothing was heard save the noise 
of the picks and shovels, with now and then a muffled 
crash as fragments of the vein were detached by blasts. 

During the ‘ ‘ nooning ” lunch was eaten in the cut- 
ting, and while they were sitting quiet a singular vibra- 
tion of the earth could be felt. 

“ It seems as if some one was digging directly be- 
neath us,” Fred said, when the little party ceased eating 
to gaze at each other in surprise. 


PRECAUTIONS 


125 


“ Most likely there’s a line of slate just under our 
feet, an’ brings the sound from the other drift,” Joe re- 
plied promptly. 

“That’s about the size of it,’’ Bill added; but the 
boys noticed that both the men listened from time to 
time as if in great perplexity. 

The peculiar tapping continued without interrup- 
tion, and before the time of rest had more than half ex- 
pired Joe said, as he arose to his feet : 

“ Come on, lads. We’re close to the old drift, an’ 
after that’s been opened we’ll have another look around, 
for I want to find out what these queer noises mean.” 

Each one worked with the utmost rapidity, and 
when another hour had been spent Bill’s pick broke 
through the barrier of earth. 

“ That ends the job, an’ now to see how the air is.” 

The miner had hardly ceased speaking when a huge 
volume of gas burst through the aperture, nearly suffo- 
cating the party and extinguishing the lamps instantly. 

“ Jump to it lively, boys ! ” Joe cried hoarsely, as he 
began shoveling back the earth. “When you can’t 
work any longer get a breath of fresh air in the drift.” 

There was every danger that the low^er level might 
be so filled with the noxious vapor as to cause an ex- 
plosion, and both men and boys labored manfully. 

All were working blindly, but the general direction 
of the aperture was known, and the greater portion of 
the earth could be thrown with a fair degree of accu- 
racy. 

Ten minutes passed and the flow of foul air was par- 
tially checked. Twice had each person been forced to 
retreat to the main drift, and Fred was about to go for 


126 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


the third time when it seemed as if the flooring of dirt 
gave way beneath his feet. 

Half suffocated by the gas, and overwhelmed by the 
falling fragments, he hardly realized what had occurred 
until finding himself in what was unmistakably another 
and yet lower tunnel or drift. 


CHAPTER XV 

A DISCOVERY 

After the first alarm passed away, Fred understood 
that he had fallen but a few yards, and the earth which 
covered him represented only a very small portion of 
the upper tunnel’s floor. 

Scrambling to his feet he fancied for a moment that 
the sound of scurrying footsteps could be heard, and 
while listening, Joe said : 

“Hello! Are you hurt?” 

“Not a bit.” 

‘ ‘ Where are you ? ’ ’ 

“ It seems like a regular cutting, and the air is 
pure. ’ ’ 

“Eight your lamp an’ look around.” 

Obeying this command, Fred found his suspicions 
correct, and so reported. 

‘ ‘ Can you get back ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Not unless you pull me up. ’ ’ 

“We’ll attend to that in a minute.” 

The rush of air from below had so far checked the 
gas, now partially shut off, that the men could also 


A DISCOVKRY 


127 


light the lamps in their caps, and the remainder of the 
task was quickly accomplished. 

With a couple of timbers as braces the aperture to 
the old mine was closed securely, and then the attention 
of the men was turned to the boy. 

“Look out down there!” Bill shouted. “I’m go- 
in’ to drop a couple of joists so’s we can come back.” 

“Let them go.” 

“ Now drag ’em out of the way, an’ we’ll follow.” 

When this had been done the men and Sam de- 
scended, all completely mystified by this new discovery. 

“ Here’s somethin’ that I reckon Mr. Wright didn’t 
know about,” Bill said, as he surveyed the scene, and 
then he added with great emphasis as a sudden thought 
occurred to him. ‘ ‘ Now we can come pretty nigh 
guessing what them noises meant. .Some one has been 
tryin’ to get into the other level, an’ when a big hole 
was made Fred put an end to the work by failin’ 
through. ’ ’ 

This could be told by the mound of earth a short 
distance away, as well as by the marks of a pick around 
the edges of the aperture ; but further proof was found 
in the shape of a shovel which Sam stumbled over. 

“This belongs to the company,” he cried, pointing 
to the brand. 

“Yes, an’ a blind man can figger who’s been here. 
Cale Billings didn’t leave town as he tried to make folks 
believe. ’ ’ 

“Then let’s have him. This cuttin’ can’t be so 
long but that we’ll get all over it before sunset,” Joe 
cried, as he wrenched the shovel handle from the iron 
work to serve as a weapon. 


128 


DOWN THK SDOPE) 


‘ ‘ I thought I heard somebody running in that direc- 
tion when I first fell,” Fred said, pointing toward the 
quarter in which it was reasonable to suppose the old 
shaft might be found. 

Joe led the way, the others following close behind 
until, when half a mile had been traversed, they arrived 
at two slopes or inclined tunnels, running at right 
angles from the level. 

“It won’t do to pass these,” Bill cried. “We’ll 
take one, while the boys search out the other.” 

He darted into the right-hand opening as he spoke ; 
but returned before Joe could join him, saying: 

‘ ‘ That was a false cutting. It only runs a dozen 
yards, an’ there’s nothin’ in it. Sam, you an’ Fred 
look into the other one while we keep on.” 

The idea of coming upon Cale Billings while they 
were unarmed was not a pleasant idea for the boys ; 
but they would have braved considerably greater danger 
rather than show signs of fear, and both obeyed 
promptly. 

This slope ran at an inclination of nearly forty -five 
degrees for about fifty yards when it turned sharply to 
the right, terminating in a small chamber where the 
vein had probably came to an end. 

As Sam and Fred entered the place a figure darted 
from one corner and attempted to rush past them ; but 
the flight was checked very suddenly. 

“Why it’s Skip Miller! ” Sam cried, as he lowered 
his lamp that the rays might fall upon the prisoner’s 
face. 

“Yes, it’s me,” Skip said, piteously, 
don’t drag me off.” 


‘ ‘ Please 



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A DISCOVERY 


129 


‘ ‘ How did you come here ? ’ ’ 

“ With Billings ; he made me do jest what he said, 
an’ I didn’t dare to show up in town.” 

“Why not?” 

“ ’Cause I knew Mr. Wright would have me ’rested 
on account of pretty nigh killin’ you.” 

“What?” Fred cried, in surprise. “Then it 
wasn’t an accident?” 

Skip literally groveled on the ground in his fear. 
He understood now that his share in that business had 
not been known until he himself betrayed the fact. 

“Don’t lug me off,” he screamed. “I’d have to 
go to jail.” 

“You wouldn’t so long as we kept the thing a 
secret,” Fred replied, with a feeling of mingled pity 
and contempt because of the abject terror displayed. 
“We must take you with us; but needn’t tell about 
your villainy. ’ ’ 

“ Then father would just about beat me to death for 
runnin’ away. Why not let me stay here? I’ll never 
hurt you or anybody else again. ’ ’ 

Although Skip had tried to kill them, the boys felt 
a certain sense of aversion to dragging him away while 
he pleaded so piteously, and in order to gain time in 
which to think the matter over, Sam said : 

“Tell us how you got into the lower level.” 

In a faltering voice Skip gave a truthful account 
of all his movements on that particular day. 

* ‘ Have you been here ever since ? ’ ’ 

“Yes.” 

^ ‘ And Billings, too ? ’ ’ 

“ He went out twice for whisky an’ some water.” 


9 


130 


DOWN THD SDOPK 


“ What have you been doing? 

‘ ‘ Billings made me dig an’ shovel all day, an’ most 
of the night.” 

” Trying to get into the lower level, eh? ” 

“Yes, an’ when I got played out he pretty near 
pounded my head off.” 

‘ ‘ I reckon we heard you yelling. Where is Billings 
now ? ” 

‘ ‘ He ran ahead of me when the earth began to cave 
in, an’ that’s the last I’ve seen of him. Say, it won’t 
hurt you a bit to let me stay here, an’ I’ll do the square 
thing if I ever get out of the scrape.” 

“You’d starve to death.” 

“ I’d rather take the chances of that than go to jail, 
or let father get hold of me.” 

“But what good will it be to stay here?” Fred 
asked. “ Hiding won’t mend matters, and you’ll have 
to come out some time.” 

“ That may be ; but I don’t want to go now,” and 
once more Skip fell on his knees in front of those whom 
he had wronged. 

“ What do you think about it, Fred?” Sam asked, 
in a whisper. 

“ I don’t like to yank him out, no matter what he 
tried to do to me.” 

“Nor 1.” 

“Then why not let him stay? He’ll get punish- 
ment enough by hiding here alone in the darkness with 
nothing to eat. ” 

“ But we shall have to give him a little grub. We 
can’t think he’s hungry when we’re got plenty. ” 

“ I’ll agree to whatever you say.” 


A DISCOVERY 


131 

Sam was silent for a moment, and then turning to 
the kneeling boy, he asked : 

“ Could you find your way out of here ? ” 

‘ ‘ I might if I had a lamp ; but the oil has all been 
burned in mine.” 

‘ ‘ How long do you count on staying ? ” 

“ Jest as many days as I can.” 

“Well, see here, we’re going off, an’ leave you to 
take the dose in your own way ; but it’s on the agree- 
ment that you try to be a decent fellow after gettin’ 
out.” 

“I’ll promise anything, an’ won’t so much as say 
the name regulators agin.” 

“ If it’s possible, Fred an’ I’ll bring you some grub ; 
but you mustn’t count on it.” * 

“ Don’t take any risks,” Skip replied, humbly. “ I 
can live on wind a couple of days if that villain of a 
Billings don’t come back.” 

“ You needn’t worry about that. If he went up the 
drift Bill an’ Joe will most likely nab him. Come, 
Fred, we mustn’t stay any longer, or they’ll think 
something is wrong.” 

As the boys turned to go Skip tried to thank them 
for the mercy shown ; but did not make a great success at 
it. He had been literally trembling with fear, and now 
his gratitude rendered him almost incapable of speech. 

“That’s all right. Skip. We’ll see whether you 
mean it or not after you get out.” 

“I’ll be square as a brick if I ever get through with 
this scrape,” he replied, and then as the boys turned 
the angle of the slope he was hidden from view in the 
darkness. 


132 


DOWN THK SLOPK 


“I don’t know as we’re actin’ very sensible,” Sam 
said, slowly, when they were in the drift once more; 
“but it’s better than draggin’ the poor beggar off to be 
arrested.” 

“ A good idea, Sam, and I’m sure Skip will be a 
decent fellow after this. We must try to get back here 
to-night with food and oil.” 

“ Unless Joe and Bill keep us at work we’ll have 
plenty of time, for — hello! Here they come now!” 

The two miners could be seen in the distance, or, 
rather, the light of their lamps was visible, and when 
they were within speaking distance, Fred asked : 

“ Did you find him? ” 

‘ ‘ No ; we’ve followed up the drift as far as we 
dared, an’ are now goin’ back to see if any of the day 
crew know these old works. Where did that slope lead 
to?” 

“ It ends about fifty yards from here.” 

“ Didn’t see anything of the villains, eh?” 

“Billings isn’t there, that’s certain,” Fred replied, 
after a brief hesitation. 

The men did not appear to notice the equivocal 
answer, and Bill suggested that they return to the 
workings without further delay. 

“We’ll have a guard set at the shaft, so he can’t 
give us the slip in that way, an’ if any of the boys 
know these drifts it won’t be a long job to smoke him 
out.” 

‘ ‘ He may get off before we can reach the top of 
the slope,” Fred suggested, hoping by this means to 
prevent the conversation from reverting to their long 
delay. 


A DISCOVKRY 


133 


“ Then so much the better, lad,” Bill replied, in a 
tone of satisfaction. “ All we want is to be rid of such 
trash, an’ if he leaves town that’s enough.” 

If at this moment either of the party had turned it 
would not have been difficult to distinguish even in the 
gloom the form of Cale Billings, as he followed ready 
to work further mischief, or escape as might be most 
convenient. 

Unsuspicious of the nearness of their enemy, the 
little party continued on to the hole through which 
Fred had fallen, and as they clambered up the joists the 
leader of the rioters muttered : 

“ Don’t think you can smoke me out so easy. I’ll 
leave my mark on this mine before bein’ run down, or 
know the reason why.” 

Neither Sam nor Fred gave so much as a passing 
thought to the man wdio was responsible for all the 
damage which had been done ; they were so engrossed 
with the desire to aid Skip without being discovered by 
those who might call him to an account for his crime 
that all else seemed as trifles. 

“ I’ll tell mother, and she will cook for us what may 
be needed,” Fred whispered, after they were in the 
lower level walking rapidly toward the slope. 

“ That part of it don’t trouble me so much as how 
we’re to come back to the mine without bein’ seen by 
some of the men,” Sam replied, and, turning sharply 
Bill asked : 

“ What are you fellers chinnin’ about? ” 

“ There’s no harm in talkin’, eh? ” and Sam assumed 
an air of impudence such as the men had never seen 
before. 


134 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


‘ ‘ I don’t reckon there is, lad ; but seein’ as how 
we’ve hung together vSO long, it wasn’t strange to ask.” 

“ I didn’t mean to be too fresh, Bill,” Sam replied, 
understanding that he had spoken in a disagreeable 
manner. “Fred and I were only figuring about com- 
ing back to make sure Billings didn’t get into the level 
while you were outside.” 

“ That part of it can be fixed easy. Joe shall go to 
the store while I see if anybody here knows about the 
old drift, and with three on guard I don’t reckon he 
can do much mischief. ” 

‘ ‘ Then you can stay with him while I run home for 
some provisions,” Fred whispered, and during this con- 
versation Cale Billings was clambering up the joist 
which led to the last level. 


CHAPTER XVI 

GOOD SAMARITANS 

Knowing that Joe and Bill were in Mr. Wright’s 
confidence Donovan had no hesitation about placing 
guards as desired, and immediately after they ascended 
from the slope every exit was closely watched. 

“ Now you boys can see we’ve fixed things in proper 
shape,” Bill said, in a tone of triumph. “ Do whatever 
you choose until to-morrow, an’ Joe an’ me ’ll attend to 
Mr. Billings’ case.” 

‘ ‘ But he might get into the lower level by the same 
way we did,” Sam ventured to suggest. 

“There are plenty below to take care of that.” 


GOOD SAMARITANS 


135 


‘ ‘ Then there’s no reason why we should come 
back ? ” 

“ Not unless you want to see the game played out.” 

“ We’ll run down to Fred’s house, and then have a 
look at the place where he went through.” 

“ Suit yourselves about that,” was the careless reply, 
as Bill started toward the store to confer with the su- 
perintendent. 

“ Now is our chance,” Sam whispered. “ It won’t 
take us more than ten minutes to run over to your 
house, and we can get back before Bill comes. ” 

Fred started at a rapid pace, and by the time the 
miners had finished telling their story to Mr. Wright, 
Mrs. Byram knew of the interview with Skip. 

“Of course I will give you some food,” she said, 
readily. “ It may prove to be the best possible thing 
for him that he should be so thoroughly frightened. 
Can you carry oil enough in a bottle?” 

“ As much, as will be needed until to-morrow. It 
won’t do any harm if he scrapes along on short rations 
for a while,” Sam replied, with a laugh. “ The only 
thing is to get him something before Joe an’ Bill go 
back.” 

A generous package of food, a small quantity of oil, 
the whole in a paper parcel, and the good Samaritans 
started for the slope once more, noting with satisfaction 
as they passed that the miners had not yet left the 
store.” 

No particular attention was paid to them as they 
entered the slope, and screening the package as much 
as possible from view, the boys went with all speed to 
the repentant regulator’s hiding place. 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


136 

So far as could be seen, the cutting through which 
Fred had fallen remained as when they ascended, and 
after letting themselves down this the task was well 
nigh accomplished. 

Skip was most extravagant in his demonstrations of 
gratitude when they entered the chamber and displayed 
the supplies. 

‘ ‘ It’ll take me a mighty long while to straighten 
this thing up; but I’ll do it somehow,” he said, and 
Sam replied, roughly : 

“We’ll talk about that later. Jest now there’s a 
chance others will find out where you are, for Joe and 
Bill have gone after men to help search for Billings. ” 

“ Then they didn’t find him? ’’ 

“No.” 

“ I reckon he has gone to Taylor’s.” 

“That won’t do him much good unless he walks 
out of town, for now it is known he’s near by, all hands 
are bound to hunt him down.” 

“ Then they’ll be sure to find me.” 

“ We’ll hold on in the old drift till they get back, 
an’ try to prevent them from coming up here by saying 
we’ve searched this slope,” Fred said, after a moment’s 
thought. “ That’s the only way I know of to keep the 
secret. ” 

“ It won’t do any harm to make the attempt,” Sam 
added. “Don’t light your lamp, and keep perfectly 
quiet.” 

Skip retreated once more to the farther corner of the 
chamber, and the boys walked slowly down to the drift, 
halting a short distance from the mouth of the slope as 
Sam picked up a shovel. 


GOOD SAMARITANS 


137 


“ Here’s another tool belonging to the company. It 
must have been thrown away by Billings or Skip when 
you dropped on their heads.” 

‘ ‘ Keep it to show we’ve been hunting ; it can’t be 
long now before the men come, and we’ll need some 
good excuse for loafing here.” 

‘ ‘ I^et’s sit down till we hear them. I’m tired enough 
to want a rest.” 

Seated on the decaying timbers of the car track the 
boys discussed in whispers the possibility of aiding 
Skip to escape from his unenviable position, with never 
a thought of the deed with which Billings was to crown 
his villainous career. 

The leader of the mob had immediately begun to 
look about for a chance to wreak his vengeance on the 
company, when Joe and Bill with their helpers left the 
level, and he was yet at the farther end of the passage 
when the boys returned with supplies for Skip. 

Their desire to avoid attracting the attention of the 
workmen caused them to move noiselessly, consequently 
he was ignorant of the fact that they were in the 
mine. 

It was hardly five minutes after they descended to 
the old drift when he came back to the cutting, and 
the odor of gas brought him to a stop. 

“Them fools broke through after all,” he said, ex- 
amining the earth piled up at one end, “an’ I reckon 
they found out it wasn’t safe to work much farther on 
that course.” 

One of the shovels was standing against the side of 
the excavation, and with this he dug a portion of the 
dirt from the hole made by Bill’s pick. 


138 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


The foul air rushed through with such force as to 
nearly suffocate him ; but instead of being disappointed 
he appeared overjoyed. 

“ I couldn’t a’ fixed things better in a week’s solid 
work, an’ I’ll take the chances of gettin’ out. ” 

Enlarging the aperture by pushing the earth through 
between the braces while he covered his mouth and nose 
with his blouse, he crept back to the drift, unfastened 
his cap-lamp, removed the safety screen, and placed the 
light in the passage after raising the wick a trifle. 

Just as these preparations had been completed the 
faint sound of the whistle could be heard from above. 

“It’s astonishin’ what luck I’m having,” he mut- 
tered. “ I can get out while the day shift are leavin’, 
an’ ten minutes will be enough to fill this level so full 
of gas that no power can prevent an explosion.” 

The air was heavy with the noxious vapor as he 
went rapidly toward the slope up which crowds of 
miners were passing, and as some of the men loitered 
behind the others it became necessary he should hide in 
the drift to escape detection. 

“Why don’t the fools move faster,” he said, in a 
hoarse whisper. “ It can’t be many seconds before the 
thing comes, an’ there’ll be no chance for me. There ’d 
be a lynchin’ sure if I should show up jest ahead of an 
explosion.” 

Big drops of perspiration stood on his brow as he 
realized that the trap he had set for others might close 
upon himself, and for an instant he resolved to run 
back and extinguish the lamp. 

“ It won’t do,” he said, half turning and then mov- 
ing nearer the slope. ‘ ‘ There’s gas enough in the drift 


GOOD SAMARITANS 


139 


to choke me before I’d get ten yards. Why don’t the 
idiots move faster! ” 

Only the absolute conviction that he would be 
lynched if caught at such a time prevented Billings 
from rushing out. 

Each second the vapor became denser, and he won- 
dered why the miners did not perceive it. 

The catastrophe must be very near at hand, and he 
was exposed to the greatest danger. 

When it seemed as if an hour had passed, the last 
man went up the slope, and he started at full speed to 
gain a higher level. 

The incline was almost reached ; half a dozen steps 
more and he would be partially sheltered by the jutting 
point of slate. 

“ Luck is still with me,” he cried, so loud that those 
above must have heard him, and at that instant the 
earth seemed to rock to and fro ; there was a flash of 
blinding light, and the air was filled with flying frag- 
ments. 

Where had been the lower level was now an appar- 
ently solid mass of earth, coal, and slate, covering the 
body of him w^ho had wreaked his vengeance upon the 
company. 

Joe and Bill were returning from the store when .the 
noise of the explosion was heard, and they, as well as 
everyone in the vicinity, knew from sad experience 
what had occurred. 

“We’re responsible for this!” Bill cried, his face 
paling. “The gas has burst through from the old 
drift.” 

‘ ‘ Thank God it came when most of the poor fellows 


140 


DOWN THE SEOPK 


were qiiittin’ work,” and Joe started on a run, followed 
by every person in the village. 

At the mouth of the slope a vast crowd had gathered. 
Women were calling their husbands and children by 
name, and as each learned her loved ones were safe, 
shouts of joy mingled with the wailings of those whose 
cries remained unanswered. 

Even after Mr. Wright arrived the utmost confusion 
prevailed. All knew it would be certain death to make 
a descent, while the deadly vapor was so dense, and a 
second explosion might be expected at any moment. 

Bill and Joe stood near the mouth of the slope ready 
to respond to the first call for volunteers, when Mrs. 
Byram came up. 

“ Where is Fred? ” she asked, with a brave attempt 
controlling her fears. 

“ He went to' your house with Sam, so there’s no 
need to worry about them.” 

“ They were not there more than ten minutes.” 

“Then both are in the crowd somewhere, for they 
wouldn't go down the slope till w’e got back.” 

The almost distracted mother had no thought of 
keeping Skip’s secret at such a time, and when the tw^o 
miners heard her story all hope for the safety of the 
boys fied. 

‘ ‘ They must have been in the old drift underneath 
the explodin’ gas,” Joe exclaimed, involuntarily. 

“It isn’t sure the trouble began where w^e think,” 
Bill said, quickly, with a warning glance at his com- 
panion. “ I’ve known of men who were shut in a drift 
for a week, an’ then brought out none the worse for 
wear, so don’t despair, Mrs. By ram.” 


GOOD SAMARITANS 


I4I 


“ But why isn’t vSomething done to aid them? ” 

‘ ‘ We shall set to work the very minute it is safe to 
venture into the next level. Go home, an’ Joe or I will 
bring you the first news.” 

‘ ‘ Do you think I could remain there knowing my 
boy is dying, or — or — dead? ” 

The women near by endeavored to console the sor- 
rowing mother with words of encouragement they them- 
selves believed to be false, and Bill whispered to his 
-mate : 

“There’s a mighty slim show for the poor lads, an’ 
it’s through helpin’ him as tried to murder ’em that 
they’ve been caught.” 

Mr. Wright was doing his utmost to ascertain how 
many were yet in the mine, and after a long while suc- 
ceeded in learning that at least a dozen men had been 
overpowered while some distance up the slope. 

Those who reached the surface told of a number ♦ 
whom they had seen fall, and some were certain one or 
two did not have time to gain the slope. 

“ Who will go with me? ” the superintendent asked, 
as a car was made ready. ‘ ‘ I don’t want the married 
men to volunteer, for they are needed at home, and 
none of us may come back alive. ” 

“Then why not stay here yourself?” a woman 
cried. ‘ ‘ Your wife an’ children need you as much as 
ours need their fathers. ” 

“Because it is my duty,” was the calm reply. 

“ Now who will come? I only want two.” 

“ Then the car is full,” Bill said, as he and Joe took 
their places in the box-like vehicle. “ We’re willin’ to 
go alone, if you’ll stay behind.” 


42 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“No man shall encounter dangers from which I 
shrink. I^ower away slowly, boys,” he added to those 
who were fastening a rope to the car, ‘ ‘ and keep a 
sharp look-out for our signals. ” 

“ An’ it was his house my Jim helped try to burn! ” 
the woman who had spoken before said in a whisper. 

“Make haste,” Mr. Wright cried, impatiently. 
‘ ‘ Remember that every second is precious. ” 

The miners crowded around the car to shake its 
brave occupants by the hand as if they were never to 
return, and it was absolutely necessary to push them 
away in order that the terrible journey might be begun. 

With their safety lamps held so that the condition 
of the air might be ascertained at each stage of the 
descent, the men slowly disappeared from view, and at 
the mouth of the slope the crowd surged to and fro in 
painful suspense ; but not a sound could be heard, save 
as some wife or mother gave vent to a sob of distress. 


CHAPTER XVII 

DOWN THE SLOPE 

During the time that Billings was making his prep- 
arations for the last act of his life, Sam and Fred re- 
mained seated a short distance from the cut which led 
to Skip’s hiding place. 

Both were listening intently for the first sound 
which should betoken the coming of the miners, and 
the falling earth which was displaced by Billings’ feet 
as he worked in the cutting attracted their attention. 


DOWN THK SDOP:^ 


143 


“There’s some one in the tunnel we made,” Sam 
whispered. “ Tet’s creep up and find out who it is.’’ 

“That won’t do, for there’s no chance Billings 
would come back if he once got out, and we should 
arouse sUvSpicions. ’ ’ 

Despite this warning Sam advanced a short dis- 
tance, and on becoming convinced that the tunnel 
really had an occupant rejoined Fred, as he whis- 
pered : 

“ We’d better sneak further along. I reckon some- 
body is on guard up there, and we musn’t be seen so 
far down.’’ 

He had held the shovel during this excursion, and 
still retained it as they walked noiselessly along the 
drift until arriving at the mouth of the short slope. 

Here the two halted at the moment when the con- 
fined gas, ignited by the open lamp, burst its bonds, and 
the shock sent them headlong up the incline. 

Huge masses of earth were detached on every hand, 
except directly in the narrow way leading to Skip’s 
hiding place, and on scrambling to their feet a solid wall 
shut them out from the drift. 

“What was that?’’ Fred cried in alarm, as he as- 
sured himself his lamp was uninjured. 

“An explosion, an’ we’re penned in here to starve 
to death,’’ Sam replied, in a trembling voice. 

“Can’t we dig through this bank and reach the 
hole in the roof ? ’ ’ 

“ There is no longer any lower level, as we knew it, 
and unless we could make a new drift there’ d be no 
use working.’’ 

“But this part of the mine seems to be all right.” 


144 


DOWN THK SLOPK 


“Yes, unless there’s another explosion I reckon we 
can stay here ’til — ” 

“ ’Till what?” 

“ We shall starve to death after a while.” 

This mournful conversation was interrupted by 
Skip, who came running down the slope with the most 
abject fear written on every feature of his face. 

Familiar as he was with the mine he had no need to 
ask for the cause of the noise, and understood as well 
as Sam the little hope there was for life. 

“Are you shut in, too ? ” he cried. 

“We’re here,” Sam replied, grimly. 

‘ ‘ An’ you’d been outside if I hadn’t wanted to stay 
rather than take a flogging.” 

“You’re right. Skip, but this ain’t the time to find 
fault. All three are in the same box, an’ we might as 
well be friendly. ” 

“Won’t they try to get us out?” Fred asked, 
faintly. 

“Nobody knows where we are,” Skip replied, bit- 
terly. 

“We told mother about you, and she’ll be sure to 
repeat it to Joe and Bill now we’re in such danger.” 

Skip’s face brightened for an instant, and then he 
said, in a despairing tone : 

“They don’t know where this place is. Billings 
is certain the oldest miners never heard of the drift ; he 
thinks it was made years before the workings were 
opened at Farley’s.” 

“Joe and Bill have been down here.” 

‘ ‘ Even they wouldn’t know where to start in. How 
long will the air hold out, Sam ? ” 


DOWN THK SDOPE 


145 


“ I don’t know, but there’s no need of usin’ it any 
faster than’s necessary. We’ll put out two of the 
lamps ; one is enough, an’ we may be mighty glad to 
drink the oil.” 

Fred was very nearly incapable of action. The 
knowledge that his companions had lost hope literally 
dazed him, and he could not even follow Sam’s sug- 
gestion. 

Two of the lamps were extinguished, and since 
Fred was the only one retaining the means of dispelling 
the darkness, Sam and Skip forced him on ahead as 
they went still further into the tunnel where the air 
would be more pure. 

‘ ‘ This is the only point from which we may expect 
aid,” Sam said, “an’ seein’ that we can do nothin’ it’s 
better to stay here.” 

“Won’t Joe and Bill try to help us?” Fred asked. 

“ They’ll try, but whether it’ll be possible to do 
anything is another matter.” 

“ Can’t we begin to dig? We’ve got one shovel.” 

“ Neither of us knows in which direction to start, 
an’ when workin’ more food would be needed, therefore, 
to keep alive as long as possible we’d better stay quiet. ” 

Skip threw himself on the floor close to the end of 
the cutting, as if reconciled to whatever might happen, 
and Sam sat down beside him. 

‘ ‘ Do you think there is any chance that we can get 
out of here ? ” Fred asked after a long silence, and 
Sam replied, gravely : 

“ We may as well look the matter straight in the 
face. It’s possible they can strike us without much 
trouble, but that ain’t likely.” 


10 


146 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


During half an hour the boys remained silent and 
motionless, as if each was trying to reconcile himself to 
the terrible doom which threatened, and then Fred 
said, with a feeble attempt at cheerfulness : 

‘ ‘ It must be near supper time. Suppose we have 
one square meal? ” 

“ Because a man knows he’s slowly drowning there’s 
no reason why he should try to keep his head under 
water more than is necessary,” Sam replied, sternly. 

“What do you mean? ” 

“We are not suffering with hunger now, but soon 
will be, so it’s wise to wait till grub is absolutely needed 
to keep us alive.” 

“ Then let’s do something ; this sitting still thinking 
of what is to come seems worse than the reality can 
ever be.” 

“Very well, we’ve got a shovel; we’ll decide in 
which direction it’s best to dig, an’ begin operations.” 

‘ ‘ There surely is a chance of striking another 
drift.” 

“ Yes, there’s a chance,” Sam replied, as if the con- 
versation wearied him. “Each one shall say which 
course he thinks most likely to bring us out.” 

Skip wished to continue up the slope, arguing that 
each inch gained would carry them so much nearer the 
surface, while Fred believed it best to work through 
the mass of earth that had fallen, because there a pick 
would not be necessary. 

“We’d better try Skip’s plan,” Sam finally said. 
‘ ‘ By making our way along the old drift a chamber of 
gas might be struck, when all hands would be suffo- 
cated. Come on, and I’ll start it.” 


DOWN THK SI.OPK 


147 


He wielded the shovel until tired, the others carry- 
ing the earth back to the foot of the slope in their hats, 
and then Fred tried his hand at the labor. 

In this manner each did a certain amount of the 
work, but at the expense of no slight suffering. In the 
confined space it was very warm, and this exercise 
brought with it an intense thirst, which, of course, 
could not be quenched. 

Skip drank a little oil now and then, but Fred could 
not force himself to taste the ill-smelling stuff. 

There was no way by which the passage of time 
could be measured. When all were sleepy they laid 
down to rest, and on awakening a small quantity of 
food was dealt out. After the scanty meal had been 
eaten they continued what every one now believed was 
UvSeless labor, ceasing only when the desire for slumber 
became overpowering again. 

Reckoning these periods of work and rest as days 
and nights, seventy-two hours had elapsed when the 
supply of food was exhausted, and they realized that 
the final struggle was at hand. 

The air remained reasonably pure, probably because 
a vent had been left somewhere in the choked drift, 
but there were moments when the odor of gas was 
perceptible, thus causing Sam to believe efforts were 
still being made to reach them by those on the out- 
side. 

But little work was done when the food had been 
consumed. Now and then one or the other would use 
the shovel in a listless way for a few moments at a 
time, but each had become so weak that any prolonged 
exertion was out of the question. 


148 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


They slept as much as possible, and refrained from 
discussing the terrible situation. Fred no longer lis- 
tened for the sounds which would tell that help was 
near at hand, and the odor of the oil did not prevent 
him now from taking his share when the scanty allow- 
ance was doled out. 

Finally the hour came when the last drop had been 
drank. The tiny flame of the lamp seemed to have 
been the only link which connected them with the outer 
world, and then without any means of dispelling the 
profound darkness the bitterness of death came upon 
them. 

Fred was the first to sink into a stupor from w^hich 
he awakened only at rare intervals. Then Skip yielded 
to despair, and Sam was virtually alone. 

All three were half sitting, half lying in the excava- 
tion they had made, and the moments passed unheeded. 
To Fred it seemed as if he had been unconscious for 
many days when he became aware that Sam was shout- 
ing wildly. 

In a dazed way he raised his head, and after a while 
understood that his companion was saying in an inco- 
herent tone : 

“ They’re coming ! They’re coming ! ” 

“ Who? Who? ” Skip asked, feebly, trying in vain 
to rise to his feet. 

“The miners! Can’t you hear the sound of their 
picks? “ 

When they could bring themselves to understand 
the meaning of Sam’s words both the sufferers were 
revived by the excitement sufficiently to stagger to an 
upright position, but as only at intervals was the cheer- 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


149 


ing sound heard, fatigue soon overpowered them again, 
and once more Sam alone remained conscious. 

He made every effort to preserve all his faculties, 
and after another long, painful time of suspense he 
was rewarded by hearing a faint hail. 

“ Hello ! lads, are you near?” 

“ Yes ! yes ! In the end of a short slope.” 

“ How many are there ? ” 

“Three.” 

“All well?” 

‘ ‘ Two are pretty near gone. Hurry as fast as pos- 
sible.” 

“Don’t fret, lad, we’re workin’ the best we know 
how, an’ have been these four days, though not allers 
on the right track.” 

Then from time to time the laborers shouted in or- 
der that they might not deviate from the right course, 
and Sam answered each call at the full strength of his 
lungs, which at the best w^as faint. 

Nearer and nearer came the sound of shovels and 
picks until the trembling of the wall told that life, lib- 
erty, and food were near at hand. 

Sam remained leaning close against the barrier that 
he might hear every hail, until he saw the face of a 
man appear from amid a shower of falling earth, and 
then, knowing the rescue was accomplished he lost con- 
sciousness. 

Around the mouth of the shaft stood a great crowd 
when the inanimate boys were brought out. During 
the nights as well as days this throng remained waiting 
to see those known to be in the half-ruined mine. 
These anxious watchers, sympathizing with the three 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


150 

grief-stricken mothers, had left their posts only so long 
as was absolutely necessary, and had seen each lifeless 
body as it was sent to the surface, the last coming from 
the slope being the mangled remains of Cale Billings. 

Each morning the newspapers had printed long ar- 
ticles regarding the disaster at Farley’s, and in the list 
of those known to be dead were four names, the num- 
ber of victims sacrificed that Billings might avenge a 
fancied wrong. 

With the rescue of the boys the work was finished, 
and in the rear of the bearers all the watchers and la- 
borers followed to the village, remaining in the streets 
until word was sent that no injuries had been sustained. 

Then, perhaps for the first time, came the question 
of what was to be done now that Farley’s was in such 
a condition as to preclude any possibility that the 
works could be opened for several months. 

“ It’s a hard look-out for all of us,” one old miner 
said to a mate, “but thank God that villain of a Bill- 
ings has no more than four lives to answer for.” 


CHAPTER XVIII 

SHUT DOWN 

Food and rest were all that was needed to restore 
the boys who had been rescued to their normal condi- 
tion once more, and since the works were necessarily 
shut down they had ample opportunity for the latter 
remedy. 

Fred learned from his mother that Bill and Joe had 


SHUT DOWN 


I51 

remained foremost among the laborers nearly every 
moment of the time they were imprisoned in the drift ; 
but the full story of the rescue was not told until on 
the second day, when Joe called. 

“It looked pretty blue one spell,” the latter said in 
reply to Fred’s questions. “The first attempt to get 
down the slope was a failure. When we reached the 
upper level all three were so nearly overcome by the 
foul air that Mr. Wright could hardly make the signal 
for the car to be pulled back. Late at night we tried 
it agin, an’ brought out the four poor fellows who 
were caught on the slope. Next niornin’ Billings’ body 
was found, an’ then it wasn’t hard to tell what caused 
the trouble.” 

“ Did you spend any time there looking for us? ” 

“ No, for Bill and me calculated that if you hadn’t 
got to Skip before the explosion come it would be a 
month’s work to find the bodies. We went down the 
old shaft, an’ began from there, workin’ at guess till 
both of us began to believe we’d gone wrong. If Sam 
hadn’t yelled jest as he did the gang would have started 
in from the old drift that runs to the chamber.” 

“In that case we wouldn’t have been found in 
time.” 

“ You’re right; but seein’ as we did find you all se- 
cure, there’s no use speculatin’ about the other side of 
the matter.” 

“ Have you seen Skip? ” 

‘ ‘ He was down to the store this mornin’ tellin’ what 
he knew of Billings’ movements, for the coroner is in- 
vestigatin’ the affair. ” 

‘ And Sam ? ” 


152 


DOWN THK SI.OPK 


“ He’s lively as a cricket, an’ counts on cornin’ here 
this afternoon. ” 

‘ ‘ How long will it be before the works can be opened 
again? ” 

‘ ‘ Two or three months for the whole gang, but 
some can begin in half that time, I reckon. It’s goin’ 
to be rough on them as haven’t anything laid by for 
a rainy day. ” 

“And mother and I can be counted among those,” 
Fred said, with a sigh. 

“ Don’t worry about that my son,” Mrs. By ram re- 
plied cheerily. “It is sufficient for me that your life 
has been spared, and I am certain we shall be able to 
provide for the future, but you are not to go into the 
mine again. The four terrible days spent at the slope, 
fearing each instant that the rescuing party would 
reach the drift too late, caused me to resolve that you 
should not be exposed to any more such dangers.” 

“ But it don’t stand to reason he’ll have another ex- 
perience like the last,” Joe said, promptly. “ He’s al- 
ready gone through more’n the majority of us fellers, 
an’ lightning don’t often strike twice in the same 
place.” 

Mrs. Byram shook her head to signify that the de- 
cision was final, but before she could add words to the 
gesture Mr. Wright knocked at the door. 

“I have come to make some arrangements with 
Fred about working in the store,” he said, as his sum- 
mons was answered, and entering, continued, after a 
nod to the invalid and Joe, “we shall need more help 
there for a while, and will pay three dollars per 
week.” 


SHUT DOWN 


153 


There could be no hesitation about accepting the 
proposition, and before the superintendent left it was 
decided Fred should begin next morning, provided he 
felt sufficiently strong. 

“Sam Thorpe is to work with you,” Mr. Wright 
said as he turned to leave the house, ‘ ‘ and I expect 
good service from my new clerks. ” 

“111 go bail that you get it,” Joe said, with a laugh, 
“ an’ now, if it ain’t askin’ too much, I’d like to know 
what chance there is for the rest of us.” 

“We can use about a hundred men, among whom 
will be you and Bill. The pumps have been choked so 
long that it will be some time before even the upper 
level can be put into working shape, but employment 
shall be given to all at the earliest possible moment.” 

Then Mr. Wright returned to the office, and during 
the remainder of the day Fred had quite as many callers 
as could be entertained in the little house. 

Among these were Sam and Skip, and the latter re- 
newed the promises made in the mine. 

“I’ve backed out from the Regulators, an’ while 
the shut down lasts am goin’ to see what I can do in 
the way of workin’ the garden. Father’s let me off 
from a floggin’ if I go straight after this. ” 

On the following morning Fred was at his new place 
of business at a very early hour, and both he and Sam 
found plenty with which to occupy their time until sun- 
set, when they were at liberty to do as they chose. 

During the next week nothing of particular interest 
to the young clerks transpired. 

At the mine the largest force, which could be 
worked to advantage, was employed, and those who 


154 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


were forced to remain idle were given credit for food 
and rent. 

When the labor had become systematized to such a 
degree as to allow the superintendent a little leisure, 
and while Fred was copying some letters in the private 
office, Mr. Wright watching him several moments in 
silence, asked : 

‘ ‘ Do you never expect to do anything but work in 
a mine, Fred? ” 

“ Oh, yes, sir ; if mother and I can get some money 
laid by I want to go to the city.” 

“ What will you do there? ” 

“I don’t know, sir, but there should be plenty of 
chances for a fellow who is willing to work.” 

“ There are, but since it may be some time before 
you are in a condition to leave here, why not make 
yourself familiar with this branch of mining ? ” 

“ How could that be done, sir?” 

“ By hard study. You may use any of my books, 
and after getting a smattering of the business you 
might decide to take up civil engineering, a profession 
which would suit you admirably.” 

“ If I only could.” 

“There is nothing to prevent. Here is a work 
which you can understand, and after mastering its con- 
tents I’ll guarantee you’re ready to hold your own 
against any engineer’s assistant in the middle field.” 

On that very day Fred began his studies, and Sam 
joined him with the understanding that not less than 
two hours of each evening should be devoted to the 
work. 

Both the boys were astonished at discovering how 


SHUT DOWN 


155 


little they really knew about mining, even though well 
acquainted with many of the details, and rapid progress 
was made during the fortnight that followed. 

“ If 3^ou keep on at this rate we’ll be lookin’ for new 
buttys,” Bill said one evening when the students had 
explained to him the principles of hydraulics. 

“ You won’t need any for some time, and then, per- 
haps, we shall have learned how ignorant we are, and 
give up in despair. ” 

‘ ‘ There’ll be a good many called for to-morrow. 
The upper level is in workin’ order, an’ a hundred men 
are to be put on in the morning.” ' 

This was, indeed, good news. The inhabitants of 
Farley’s had been anxiously awaiting the day when it 
would be possible to earn something toward the house- 
hold expenses, and this first evidence that the works 
were really to be opened caused a great amount of 
pleasurable excitement. 

Nearly every one in the village was at the mouth of 
the slope to see the workmen go in, and there Sam and 
Fred met Skip. 

“Mr. Donovan has promised to take me into the 
breaker as soon as there is any coal to come out,” he 
said, gleefully, “an’ my garden is lookin’ fine.” 

“ I don’t reckon you’ve sold many vegetables yet,” 
Sam replied, laughingly. 

“The plants are only just up, an’ the stuff will be 
late ; but the first that is ripe I’m going to send you 
fellers, an’ Bill and Joe.” 

The miners entered, while the spectators cheered 
loudly, and then the idle ones dispersed, well content 
to know their time would soon come. 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


156 

Skip returned to his garden, while Sam and Fred 
resumed their duties at the store, but were interrupted 
an hour later by Mr. Wright, who said : 

“It is important that a message be delivered in 
Blacktown before noon, and there will be no train until 
late this afternoon. Do you boys feel in trim for a ten 
mile tramp across the mountain ? ” 

“Yes, sir, an’ double the distance if necessary,” 
Sam replied, promptly. 

“Very well; wrap up some crackers and cheese 
while I write a letter. ” 

Ten minutes later the two were on their way with 
no slight task before them, for it would be necessary to 
travel over a rough country the entire distance, since 
the journey by the road around the mountain could not 
be performed in a day. 

It was an agreeable change after having been con- 
fined to the store so long, and they trudged on merrily, 
resolved to return in a more leisurely fashion because 
Mr. Wright had said no more work would be required 
of them until morning. 

In three hours the message had been delivered, and 
they were on their way home. 

Little time was spent in the valley, but on ascend- 
ing the mountain once more a halt was made for 
lunch. 

They were midway betw^een Blacktown and Far- 
ley’s. Not a dwelling could be seen in either direction, 
and the boys speculated as to what the country looked 
like before coal was found in the vicinity. 

‘ ‘ I wonder what caused the first man to come here 
lookin’ for it ? ” Sam said, musingly. 


SHUT DOWN 


157 


‘ ‘ Most likely some one well up in geology was 
hunting for specimens, and found an out-cropping 
vein. ” 

“ It must have been a mighty pleasant surprise.” 

“And one that I would like to experience. Just 
fancy poking around in this way till 3^ou struck what 
could be easily turned into gold.” 

As he spoke Fred dug up the earth here and there 
with a stick, playing the part, as he supposed, of the 
first discoverer, and at the same time slowly ascending 
the mountain. 

“Hold on; don’t leave so soon. I’m just getting 
ready to rest in proper style.’’ 

Fred turned around to return when he struck his 
toe against what appeared to be a projecting rock, and 
fell headlong. 

“That’s what you get for tryin’ your hand at pros- 
pecting,” Sam said, with a laugh, and Fred arose to. his 
feet wdth a rueful look on his face, which caused his 
companion yet more mirth. 

“ It may be sport for you, but I don’t see anything 

so funny about knocking all the skin off Hello ! 

What a queer looking rock I tumbled over ! ” 

He had turned, and was gazing at the projecting 
point, a fragment of which was broken, when Sam 
came up to learn the cause of his companion’s astonish- 
ment. 

“Why, it looks like coal ! ” he exclaimed, taking a 
piece from the ground to examine it more closely, and 
an instant later Fred was startled by hearing him 
shout, “It is coal! The vein at Farley’s must run 
straight through the hill ! ” 


158 


DOWN THK SLOPK 


“Then this belongs to the company.” 

‘ ‘ Not a bit of it. The one who owns the land can 
work here, and if we could raise money enough to buy 
ten or fifteen acres on this side of the hill, By ram and 


Thorpe would be mighty Hows. ” 



CHAPTER XIX 


CONSUDI'ATION 


It is not to be wondered at that the boys were in a 
perfect fever of excitement because of their startling 
discovery. 

They uncovered the spurs of pure coal sufiiciently 
to learn that it was a true vein, and, judging from the 
indications, there could be no question but it extended 
over a large area just below the surface. 

“ Is it as good as that taken out at Farley’s ? ” Fred 
asked, when they ceased digging for a moment. 

“ I can’t see any difference. Why, 5^ou and I alone 
could mine enough to make us pretty near rich, for 
there’s neither shaft nor slope to be made.” 

“ Do you suppose this land is valuable?” 

“For farming purposes it isn’t worth a ceht, and 
unless the owner knows what is here it could be bought 
for a song. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What is the price of a song according to that esti- 
mate?” 

“ Well, say a thousand dollars for a hundred acres.” 

“ But you wouldn’t need as much in order to get at 
this vein.” 


THK CONSUI.TATION 


59 


‘^Buildings would be necessary after a while, an’ 
you’d want a track to get the coal into market.” 

“ Don’t you suppose we could manage to get a thou- 
sand dollars? ” 

“ If you count on doin’ it by workin’ at Farley’s, it 
would take about a thousand years. All the money I 
can earn has to be used by the family now that father 
isn’t working.” 

“ But can we do nothin’ ? ” 

“It does seem kinder tough to find a fortune, and 
not be able to take advantage of it, but I can’t figure 
out how we can turn it to account.” 

“ lyCt’s fill our pockets with these pieces, and tell 
Mr. Wright what we’ve struck.” 

“Yes, an’ before to-morrow night he’d own this 
whole tract. It would be wiser to see what Bill an’ Joe 
think about the chances of raisin’ money.” 

“Very well, we’ll talk with them. It won’t do to 
leave this uncovered, an’ I’m in a hurry to get back.’’ 

The earth was scraped, and above this the boys 
strewed branches and leaves until one might have 
searched a long while without discovering the secret. 

Then, walking at their best pace, the successful 
prospectors continued on toward Farley’s, trying in vain 
to suppress their excitement. 

Those whom they wished to consult were at the 
mine, and without even stopping to tell Mrs. Byram of 
their discovery they went directly to the slope. 

Bill and Joe were in the second level, at some dis- 
tance from the other workmen when the boys arrived. 

“ What do you think of that?” Fred asked, excit- 
edly, as he held out one of his specimens. 


i6o 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


Bill, supposing he was to see a rare sight, brought 
his cap-lamp close to the object for a second, and then 
said angrily : 

‘ ‘ Haven’t you boys got anything better to do 
than bring coal in here for us to look at? We see 
enough of that stuff without luggin’ it around in our 
pockets.” 

“But this didn’t come from Farley’s.” 

“Well, s’posin it didn’t, what of that?” and Bill 
threw the coal far down the drift. 

“Not much, except that Sam and I found a vein 
three miles from any settlement.” 

“ What?” both the miners cried in the same breath, 
and Bill ran to pick up what he had thrown aw^ay so 
contemptuously. 

Fred began and Sam ended the story of the “find,” 
and while they were talking Bill turned the specimen 
over and over, saying when they concluded : 

“If as good coal as that show^s at the surface it 
must be a big vein. ” 

‘ ‘ It is, but how can we take advantage of the dis- 
covery? Sam thinks the land could be bought for a 
thousand dollars.’’ 

“Then you must buy it.” 

‘ ‘ How could we raise so much money ? ” 

“People don’t allers pay cash for what they buy. 
You might get it for two or three hundred dollars do wm, 
with a mortgage for the balance.” 

“ Even then I don’t see how it can be done.” 

“ Nor I jest now, but we’ll figure the thing out to- 
night at your house. Joe an’ me will be there after 
supper. Don’t tell anyone except your mother, ’nd 


THE CONSUETATION 


l6l 


when you boys are rich I speak for the job of breaker 
boss.” 

Then Bill and Joe, hardly less excited than their 
younger companions, resumed the interrupted labor, 
and the amateur prospectors went to tell the wonderful 
news to Mrs. By ram. 

Fred’s mother was not as elated as the boys thought 
the occasion demanded, but when the miners arrived, 
and appeared to be so sanguine that the discovery would 
be of great pecuniary benefit to those who made it she 
became greatly interested. 

The main question was how to raise the necessary 
money with which to purchase the land, and this had 
not been answered when the party broke up at a late 
hour. 

We’ll figger it out somehow,” Bill said as the 
visitors arose to depart. It’s been sprung so sudden 
like that we haven’t had time. Joe an’ me will learn 
who owns the land first, an’ then some of us’ll get a 
bright idee.” 

With these cheering words the meeting was ad- 
journed, and Sam and Fred went to bed to dream of 
becoming millionaires through the accident which befell 
the latter as he fell over the spur of coal. 

Next morning, however, they awoke to the fact that 
the day’s provisions depended upon their labors in the 
store, and as this was also the first step toward earning 
sufficient money with which to buy the land, both were 
on hand at an unusually early hour. 

I want you to go over to Blacktown bank,” Mr. 
Wright said to Sam when he entered the building. 
“The train leaves in half an hour, and since you can 


II 


i 62 


DOWN THK slope: 


return by the same conveyance there is no reason why 
I should give two boys a holiday, as I did yesterday.” 

“I will be ready in time, sir,” Sam replied, and 
Fred whispered : 

“ Why not walk home, and see if anybody has been 
fooling around the spur we found.” 

“That’s jest what 111 do, providin’ it is possible to 
get back before the train is due. There can’t be any 
kickin’ if I’m here an hour or two ahead of time.” 

A package of papers and a bank book was given to 
Sam by the cashier, who said, w^arningly : 

‘ ‘ Here are two thousand dollars in checks, and you 
are to bring back eight hundred dollars in change. Be 
careful what you do, and come home on the first train 
after the business has been done. ” 

“ I don’t reckon any one would kick if I w^alked 
instead of waitin’ until afternoon for the cars,” Sam 
said as he took the documents. 

“ It isn’t very safe to come across the mountains 
with so much cash ; but I don’t suppose there is any 
danger,” the man replied, and Sam glanced meaningly 
at Fred as he left the building. 

“ I wish I hadn’t said anything to him about looking 
at the vein,” Fred muttered to himself as his companion 
disappeared from view. “ It w'ould be better if he 
came directly back without thinking of what will never 
bring us in a cent of money. ” 

It was too late now, however, to regret the words 
which had been spoken, and Fred found plenty with 
which to busy himself during the remainder of the day. 

At noon a telegram came for Mr. Wright, and in 
response to what was probably an imperative summons, 


THE CONSULTATION 


163 


he started for the city on the next train ; the one on 
which Sam would have returned had he not determined 
to walk across the mountain. 

An hour passed, and yet the messenger was absent. 

“ That boy has had time to travel twice the distance 
from Blacktown here,” the cashier said impatiently to 
Fred, and the latter could make no reply, but he in 
turn was growing very anxious. 

‘ ‘ How would it do for me to go and meet him ? ” he 
asked finally. 

“That is foolish talk,” was the petulant reply. “ If 
he doesn’t come soon it will be best to send a sheriff’s 
officer.” 

This remark was well calculated to make Fred yet 
more nervous. Not for a moment did he believe Sam 
would do anything dishonest, and yet he should have 
been back, even in case he had walked home, several 
hours before. 

It was after sunset when the messenger finally made 
his appearance, and Fred was about to greet him with 
words of jest, but the expression on Sam’s face caused 
him decided alarm. 

“ What is the matter? ” he asked, anxiously. 

“ I have been robbed,” was the reply, in a hoarse 
whisper. 

“How?” 

“ I don’t know. Coming across the mountain I laid 
down on the land we wanted to buy, an’ I fell asleep. 
When I awakened the money was gone, an’ that is all 
I know about it. ” 

“ Money gone, eh ? ” the bookkeeper cried. “ What 
did you want to buy land for?” 


164 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“That has nothing to do with the loss of the cash,” 
Sam replied as he looked the man full in the face. “ I 
lost the package which was given me at the bank, and 
have been hunting for it since noon.” 

“ It will make considerable difference, as you’ll find 
out before this thing is cleared up,” and the cashier 
moved toward the door as if to prevent the boy from leav- 
ing the building. “Why not tell the truth, and say 
you stole the money ? ” 

“ Because I didn’t do anything of the kind.” 

“Tell that to the marines, for you can’t make me 
believe it. Thieves don’t loaf around the mountain. ” 

‘ ‘ They must have done so in this case, for I walked 
nearly back to Black town, and should have found the 
package if it had fallen from my pocket.” 

“ Then where is it? ” 

“ I don’t know.” 

“ Fred, go for a constable.” 

The cashier yet remained by the door, and now 
he held it open a few inches that his order might be 
obeyed. 

“Please don’t do a thing like that,” Fred cried, 
while Sam stood near the desk pale as death, but every 
action breathing defiance. 

“Do you think I’ll let a boy steal eight hundred 
dollars, and do nothing toward recovering it ? ” 

“Wait until Mr. Wright comes back and see what 
he thinks. ” 

‘ ‘And in the meantime he or his accomplice will have 
had plenty of time in w^hich to carry the cash beyond 
our reach:” 

“But I am sure that what he tells is the truth.” 


THE ACCUSED 


165 

“I don’t believe a word of it. Such a thing never 
happened before, and the thief sha’nt go free now if I 
can prevent it. ” 

Fred was about to plead yet further for his friend, 
but the cashier checked him by saying : 

“Another word in his behalf and I shall believe you 
know something of this very mysterious robbery. Will 
you go for the constable? ” 

‘ ‘ No, I won’t move a step from this place until Mr. 
Wright comes back.” 

This show of friendship was not sufficient to save 
Sam from the ignominy of an arrest. The cashier had 
hardly ceased speaking when one of the miners made an 
attempt to enter the store, and the angr)^ official sent 
him for the guardian of the peace. 

“You’ll have a chance to go back to Blacktown, 
and it may be that you will find the money on the way,” 
he said, in a tone of irony. 

Sam made no reply. Silent and motionless he 
awaited the coming of the officer. 


CHAPTER XX 

THE ACCUSED 

Not for a moment did Fred believe it possible Sam 
had done anything dishonest in regard to the money, 
and yet it seemed very singular that he could have 
been robbed without knowing when the deed was com- 
mitted. 

He had no opportunity to speak privately to the ac- 
cused boy, because of the strict watch maintained by 


i66 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


the cashier, but he remained very near him, as if eager 
to show confidence in his innocence. 

From the time the miner had been sent in search of 
an officer not a word was spoken. Now and then Sam 
glanced at his friend as if to ask that his story be cred- 
ited, and the accuser kept a strict watch over every 
movement. 

There was no parley when the officer arrived, his 
duty was to take the prisoner away, and he did so in a 
matter-of-fact manner which aroused all of Fred’s 
anger. 

“ It wouldn’t do him any harm to say he knows you 
ain’t a thief,” he whispered, “but never mind, old fel- 
low, Bill an’ Joe shall come to see you.” 

” Believe I’ve told the truth, an’ that is enough for 
me,” Sam replied, with a choking sob. “ Tell the folks 
at home about it, but try to make ’em know I never 
stole a dollar.” 

Fred promised to do this, and would have accom- 
panied his friend to the depot but for the cashier, who 
said, sternly : 

‘ ‘ I insist on your remaining here. A large amount 
of money is missing ; you boys have got a secret be- 
tween you, and it may have some connection with the 
robbery. I will not allow you to talk with the pris- 
oner. ” 

“Do as he says, an’ don’t have any row,” Sam 
added. 

“I’ll stay here,” was the reply, and when Mr. 
Wright gets back we’ll see what he’s got to say about 
it.” 

“It’s time for the train,” the constable interrupted. 


THE ACCUSED 


167 


“ Go on quickly, Sam, before a crowd gathers.” 

Fred gazed after the accused until he was lost to 
view in the distance, and then turned away with a 
heavy heart. 

The cashier had nothing more to say about the rob- 
bery, but he found plenty of work for the boy to do, 
much as if wishing to keep him in sight until Mr. 
Wright came home. 

It was half-past eight when the last train arrived and 
the superintendent was not on it. 

Fred should have been home two hours before, and 
his mother, always in fear of an accident since the ex- 
plosion, came in search of him. 

To her the story of Sam’s misfortune was told, and 
she at once demanded a private interview with the 
cashier. 

“ Don’t tell him why we wanted to buy land,” Fred 
whispered, and his mother promised to keep the secret 
for a short time at least. 

Ten minutes’ conversation with the angry official 
sufficed, and then the two went to Sam’s home, where 
the sad news was told. 

Not until ten o’clock did Fred and his mother reach 
the little cottage where Bill and Joe were impatiently 
awaiting their arrival. 

“We’ve heard something about the trouble,” the 
former said, “and want to know all the perticlars.” 

Fred repeated what has already been told, and added : 

‘ ‘ What he said concerning the land we talked of 
buying has made the cashier more suspicious than he 
would have been. It’s too bad to give the secret away, 
but it must be done unless the money can be found.” 


i68 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“There’s no reason why we can’t wait a while,” Joe 
said after some thought. “I’ll go to Blacktown to- 
morrow, an’ see him.” 

“ You surely can’t think he took it?” 

“ Of course not, an’ yet I don’t understand how it 
could ’a been stole.” 

‘ ‘ He must have lost the money. ” 

“ It wouldn’t be a bad plan for us to walk to Black- 
town over the same path he took,” Bill said. “Fred 
can show us the way.” 

“I don’t believe they’ll let me leave. The cashier 
seems to think I’m concerned in the robbery.” 

“ It won’t take me long to tell him he don’t run this 
place. I’ll go to Mr. Wright’s house, find out when 
he’s likely to be back, an’ then tend to the other matter. 
Joe, wait here.” 

The miner was not absent more than an hour, and 
when he returned the others had come to the conclusion 
that Sam had lost the money before reaching the coal 
vein. 

“Mr. Wright has jest telegraphed that he’s on his 
way to New York, so we may not see him for two or 
three days. I’ve told the folks at the store what’s to be 
done, an’ though there’s some kickin’ about Fred’s 
leavin’, they don’t dare to say very much.” 

Then the sad visaged party separated to get as much 
rest as possible, and at early dawn the miners were at 
Mrs. Byram’s again. 

Believing Sam had traveled over nearly the same 
course as that taken by he and Fred, the latter did his 
best to guide the searchers correctly. 

“There’s no use to hunt round very much till we 


THK ACCUSED 


169 


Strike the vein, for there’s where he missed the money, 
so we’d better travel at our best gait to that place,” Joe 
said, as he led the way with Fred by his side. 

The sun had been above the horizon but a few 
moments when they reached the scene of the discovery, 
and despite Sam’s dangerous position Bill insisted on 
viewing the outcropping of coal. 

“It’s a true vein, there’s no question of that,” he 
said, after a careful examination, “an’ we must hustle 
to get the cash what’s needed to buy the property.” 

“ I’d be willin’ to give up my share if Sam was out 
of his scrape.’’ 

“ You won’t do any such foolish thing. We’ll help 
the lad an’ ourselves at the same time, for there’s a 
chance to get rich here which mustn’t be lost,” and Bill 
covered the spur once more. 

Now the search was begun. Fred led the way 
slowly, the others following a short distance behind, 
and all three scrutinized the ground carefully. 

Not a word was spoken by either until they were 
on the highway near Black town, and then Bill said 
sadly : 

“If it was lo.st somebody has found it, an’ in case 
thieves run him down it ain’t likely they’re going to be 
so foolish as to give us a chance to get on their track.” 

“Where are we to go now? ” Fred asked. 

“We’ll see a lawyer if there’s one in the place, an’ 
then have a talk with Sam. ” 

There was no trouble about getting legal advice, 
and in the company of a kindly-faced gentleman the 
party w^ere ushered into the jail where Sam, in the 
lowest depths of despair, was found. 


170 


DOWN THK SIvOPK 


“Oh, I’m so glad you’ve come!” he cried, seizing 
Fred by both hands. “ It has been terrible here.” 

“Don’t be down-hearted, lad,” Bill said, with an 
attempt at cheerfulness. “ We’ll stick by you no mat- 
ter what happens.” 

“ I want you to tell me the whole story,” the lawyer 
interrupted. ‘ ‘ Describe every little particular of the 
journey.” 

“There isn’t much to tell. I got the money, an’ 
walked as fast as I could to a place on the mountain, 
where I laid down to rest, an’ fell asleep. When I 
woke up the package was gone. ” 

‘ ‘ Did you see anyone who might be following you ? ” 

“No sir.” 

‘ ‘ Whom did you meet after leaving the town ? ” 

“ Not a single person.” 

‘ ‘ Are you certain the money was in your pocket 
when you laid down ? ” 

‘ ‘ I felt of it a little while before that. ’ ’ 

The lawyer continued to question Sam for a long 
while, but without gaining any new information, and 
even the boy’s friends were forced to admit that the 
story was a strange one. 

“ I’d say it was thin if I didn’t know Sam so well,” 
Bill mused as the party left the jail after promising 
the prisoner they would return at the earliest oppor- 
tunity. 

“ The boy couldn’t ’a took the money, that’s certain ; 
but how he contrived to get rid of it beats me.” 

“It is possible we may learn something to our 
advantage before the trial can be held,” the lawyer 
suggested in a tone which to Fred sounded the reverse 


ACCUSED 


171 

of cheerful ; but I think it very important you should 
see Mr. Wright without delay.” 

“Joe shall go to New York.” 

“ How could I find him there? ” 

“ Fred and me’ll get idght back to Farley’s, ask for 
his address, an’ send it to you by telegraph. ” 

“ That is a very good idea. A train leaves in less 
than an hour, ’ ’ the lawyer said approvingly. ‘ ‘ Decide 
where the message shall be sent, and it will be there 
before he arrives. ” 

Joe was unwilling to take so much responsibility 
upon himself, and urged that he did not look fit to visit 
the city ; but Bill overruled all his objections. 

“You’re the one to go, so that settles it,” the miner 
said as he pulled out his wallet. “ Here’s what money 
I’ve got, an’ if more’s needed let me know.” 

“What am I to say to the superintendent if I see 
him?” 

“Urge that no further steps be taken against the 
boy. After what you say he did during the riot the 
officers of the company should be lenient.” 

“But that kind of talk sounds as if you believed 
he’d stole the money,” Bill exclaimed in surprise. 

“ The case looks very bad for him, and if it should 
be called up before we found some evidence in his favor 
he would most certainly be convicted.” 

Sam’s friends gazed at each other in astonishment. 
That the lawyer employed to defend him should thus 
intimate he was guilty almost shook their faith in the 
boy’s innocence. 

“ You must go all the same,” Bill said, after a long 
pause, “an’ me an’ Fred will toddle back home.” 


172 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


The adieus consisted only of the words “good-by,” 
and then the miner and the boy turned their faces 
toward Farley’s once more. 

‘ ‘ It seems as if finding the coal was bad luck for 
us,” Fred said when they were on the mountain. “ If 
it hadn’t been for that, poor Sam never would have 
thought of walking home.” 

“I don’t go very much on what folks call luck, lad. 
The thing was bound to come whether you saw the 
vein or not, so we must buck agin it.” 

“The lawyer thinks Sam stole the money.” 

“An’ more’n he’ll believe the same if somethin’ 
don’t turn up.” 

“ I can’t fancy what could happen to help him unless 
the thief himself came forward to tell the whole story.” 

“It does look kinder black, but we mustn’t lose 
heart.” 

‘ ‘ Of course this settles our chances of buying the 
land.” 

“ Nothin’ of the kind. My day is broke up now, 
an’ I’ll spend the rest of it lookin around a bit.” 

“ Sam will need all the money we’ve got to spend.” 

“ I’ve a little laid by for a rainy day, an’ with what 
Joe can raise we oughter pull through on both jobs.” 

On arriving at the spur another search was made 
with the same result as before, and then the two hurried 
on, sending a telegram to Joe immediately after reach- 
ing the town. 


AMATEUR DETECTIVES 


173 


CHAPTER XXI 

AMATEUR DETECTIVES 

Fred was forced to attend to his duties at the store 
immediately after the return from Black town, and while 
so engaged could not fail to hear the many comments 
upon the case. 

The news of the alleged robbery had spread with 
wonderful rapidity, and the majority of the miners 
believed Sam to be guilty. 

Twice during the afternoon the cashier questioned 
Fred closely as to what the prisoner meant when he 
spoke of their desire to buy land, but despite the 
coaxing and even threats he refused to divulge the 
secret. 

“If it can’t be helped I’ll tell Mr. Wright, but 
nobody else,” the boy repeated, and further than this 
he positively refused to speak. 

“Then it’s time you went home,” the official finally 
said, in an angry tone. “You know so much about 
this thing that I don’t believe it’s safe to have you 
where there are many valuable things which might be 
stolen. ” 

“ If you think I’m a thief, why not send me to jail 
with Sam ? ’ ’ 

“ I shall suggest to Mr. Wright that you be arrested, 
and I fancy he’ll follow my advice.” 

Fred walked out of the store knowing that several 
of the clerks had overheard the latter portion of the 
conversation, and believing those whom he met on the 
street already looked upon him as a thief. 


174 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“It can’t be helped, my boy,” his mother said. 
“ You have the satisfaction of knowing the accusation 
is false, and that must suffice until the time when the 
whole affair is brought to light.” 

“I’m afraid that never will be. Everybody thinks 
Sam is lying, and if we should tell of the coal we dis- 
covered the folks would say for sure he stole the 
money.” 

During the remainder of the day Fred staid in the 
house, not so much as showing his face at the window, 
and shortly after sunset Bill called. 

“ I’ve found out who owns the land,” he cried tri- 
umphantly. 

“ I wish we’d never walked across the mountain.” 

“ Now don’t be foolish, lad.” 

“ How can I help it wffien people call me a thief.” 

* ‘ ‘ I heard the cashier had kinder turned you out : 

but that don’t ’mount to anything. Wait till the super- 
intendent comes back.” 

“ He’ll believe as the others do.” 

“ Then wait till I catch the real thief.” 

“You?” 

“I’m going to try it.” 

“ But you can’t leave the mine.” 

“That’s jest what I have done.” 

“ What ? Have you thrown up the job? ” 

“ Me an’ the cashier had a little tiff a few minutes 
ago, an’ I’ve closed accounts with Farley’s.” 

“ I hope you didn’t take up what he said to me.” 

“ Well, I kinder had a row on my own account, but 
that ain’t neither here nor there. We’re both loafin’ 
now, an’ I want you to take a trip with me.” 


AMATKUR DKTECTIVKS 


175 


“Where?” 

“ I ain’t jest sure, but we’ll strike Blacktown first, 
an’ then go wherever things look most promisin’.” 

“Have you heard anything?” Mrs. Byram asked, 
as she gazed at the man sharply. 

“ I can’t say I have, an’ I can’t say I haven’t. Skip 
give me a idee that’s worth workin’ up even if it comes 
to nothin’, so we’ll have a vacation.” 

“ Tell me what you’ve heard?” Fred cried, excit- 
edly. 

“ It ain’t so very much, only jest enough to set me 
thinkin’. One of Skip’s regulators was over here this 
noon, an’ flashed up considerable money for a boy like 
him.” 

‘ ‘ And you think he stole the package from Sam ? ’ ’ 

“ I don’t say anything of the kind, but Skip heard 
’bout the trouble Sam was in, an’ thought it wouldn’t 
do a bit of harm if we found out where this feller got so 
much cash.” 

‘ ‘ When are you going ? ’ ’ 

“In the mornin’, but don’t get your hopes up, for 
it may all end in smoke.” 

Regardless of this warning Fred did grow excited, 
and before Bill took his departure he felt quite confident 
that the thief would soon be discovered. 

His spirits fell considerably next morning when Joe 
returned from New York, having come home on the 
night train. 

“ It’s no use,” he said sadly, as he entered Mrs. By- 
ram’s home just as Fred aud Bill were making ready to 
set out for Blacktown. 

“Won’t Mr. Wright do anything to help Sam?” 


176 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ No ; he says if the boy is innocent it will be much 
better to have the matter settled in court, when every- 
body will know he was wrongfully accused. ” 

“ Does he believe him guilty?” 

“ I’m afraid so, though he didn’t say very much.” 

“ When is he coming home ?” 

‘ ‘ Day after to-morrow. He got a long letter from 
the cashier yesterday, an’ I reckon that made the case 
look pretty tough agin Sam.” 

“Well,” Bill said, speaking for the first time since 
the arrival of his mate, “ we’ve spent the money for 
nothin’, but it can’t be helped now. We thought it 
would be best to see him, an’ since it’s turned out wrong 
all we can do is to push the other plan for what it’s 
worth. ” 

“What’s the other plan?” Joe asked. 

Bill explained, and concluded by saying : 

‘ ‘ It will be a good idee to have you here to post us 
on what happens while we’re away. Keep your eyes 
peeled, an’ if anything pertic’lar turns up come 
over. ” 

Then, without waiting to hear whether Joe was 
pleased with the idea. Bill started, calling sharply to 
Fred as he left the house : 

“ It won’t do to loaf, lad, if we’ve got to get Sam 
out of the scrape with all the officers of the company 
agin us.” 

A hurried good-bye to Joe, a kiss from his mother, 
and Fred followed, bent on proving his friend’s inno- 
cence in order that the suspicion of crime might also be 
removed from him. 

During the walk to Blacktown hardly a word was 


AMATKUR DETECTIVES 


177 


Spoken, but Bill said when they were within sight of the 
village : 

“ We’d best separate here an’ to-night I’ll meet you 
over by the hotel.” 

“ Ain’t we going to see Sam?” 

“Not to-day.” 

“ But what am I to do?” 

“Walk ’round ’till you run across Skip, an’ then 
make friends with the feller what’s with him.” 

“ Is Skip here?” Fred asked in surprise. 

“Of course, else how could we find the boy?” I 
gave him money last night, an’ reckon he come over 
on the first train.” 

“Did he say where he’d be?” 

“No, but you’ll sure run across him. Then hang 
’round till it’s time to meet me. It don’t stand to rea- 
son we’ll find out anything to-day, but we’ll get our 
pipes laid.” 

Bill turned away as if fearing to prolong the inter- 
view lest he be seen by the boy whom he fancied knew 
something about the case, and Fred walked aimlessly 
to and fro for nearly an hour, when he was accosted by 
Skip. 

“When did you come?” the latter asked, as if in 
surprise as he glanced meaningly toward a rather dis- 
reputable looking boy at his side. 

Fred told the exact truth, and added that he was 
“ laying off ” from work for a day or two because of an 
invitation of Bill Thomas’ to see the sights in Black- 
town. 

Skip’s friend at once proposed that Fred spend the 
day with them, and the two strangers in the village 

12 


178 


DOWN THE SDOPK 


were soon pretending to enjoy the lavish hospitality 
of the fellow who was known by the name of Gus 
Dobson. 

Only once, before it was time to meet Bill did Skip 
have a chance to speak privately with P'red. Their 
host had left them while he talked in whispers for 
several moments with a friend of about the same age 
and general appearance, and Skip said : 

“ I’d like mighty well to help Sam out of his scrape, 
’cause it would kinder square off what I did to hurt you 
an’ him.” 

‘ ‘ Do you think this fellow knows anything about the 
money? ” 

“He ain’t givin’ himself away; but jest see how 
much cash he’s got. As many as three dollars were 
spent yesterday at Farley’s, and he’s still slingin’ it 
out.’’ 

“ Perhaps this is some he’s been saving.” 

“Gus Dobson hasn’t worked any to speak of since 
the Regulators was started, an’ I know he hadn’t a cent 
at the time of the fuss over to Farley’s.” 

“Has he said anything about Sam ?” 

“Yesterday he asked a good many questions.” 

“ I don’t see how w^e’re going to find out where the 
money comes from unless he wants to tell us,” Fred 
said, with a sigh, and then Gus, looking considerably 
disturbed, joined them. 

“When are you fellers goin’ home?” he asked, 
abruptly. 

“I’ll start pretty soon,” Skip replied, “but Fred 
don’t have to leave till Bill Thomas gives the word. 
What’s up?” 


AMATEUR DETECTIVES 


179 


“ Nothin’ much ’cept I won’t see you agin.” 

“Why not?” 

‘ ‘ I promised to take a trip with the feller what w^as 
jest here, an’ it’s time we was oflf.” 

“What’s that for?” 

“ I don’t know as it’s any business of yours,” and 
Gus looked at his guests suspiciously. 

“ Of course not,” Skip replied quickly, “but we’ve 
had such a good time that a feller can’t help feelin’ 
sorry you’ve got to go.” 

This explanation did not appear to be entirely satis- 
factory. 

The boy alternately gazed at one and then the other 
for several moments in silence, and finally said in a 
threatening tone : 

‘ ‘ A good many fellers have tried to get the best of 
me, but I allers made ’em sick before the job was fin- 
ished.” 

“Now what are you drivin’ at?” Skip asked, in 
well simulated surprise. 

“ If you don’t know I won’t waste time talking,” 
was the reply, as Gus walked hurriedly away, and 
the boys saw him join his friend a short distance 
off. 

“He’s tumbled to our game,” Skip said sadly, 
“ an’ I’d like to knock the head off the feller what put 
him up to it.” 

“That shows he knows something about the 
money. ’ ’ 

“ He may think we’re on another racket ; but there’s 
no use loafin’ ’round here. I’ll go to the depot an’ you 
find Bill.” 


i8o 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


Fred had no difficulty in following this last sugges- 
tion. The miner was already at the rendezvous, and 
when the details of the apparent failure had been given, 
he exclaimed angrily : 

“ It’s all my fault, an’ instead of helpin’ Sam I’ve 
done him a power of harm.” 

“ What do you mean ? ” 

” I was in too much of a hurry, and thought myself 
mighty smart, so told the lawyer what we suspicioned. 
He ain’t much less of a fool than I am, for he sent out 
to find a friend of Gus’ , and asked him all kinds of ques- 
tions. Now w^e’ve driven ’em away, an’ may as well go 
ourselves. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Are we to give up working ? ’ ’ 

“There’s no use in stayin’ here any longer, an’ 
we’ll strike across the mountain. Come on, so’s it’ll be 
possible to get home before dark. ’ ’ 


CHAPTER XXII 

UNEXPECTED NEWS 

Fred was opposed to leaving Blacktown without 
seeing Sam ; but Bill, smarting under the sense of hav- 
ing brought about his own defeat, insisted upon an im- 
mediate departure. 

“ It ain’t likely we could get into the jail now the 
day is so far spent, an’ if we did, what would be the 
use ? There’s nothing that could be said to cheer the 
boy.” 

“ I promised.” 


UN^XPKCTEiD NEJWS 


l8l 


“You can keep it the next time we come,” and Bill 
put an end to the discussion by starting toward the 
mountain. 

Fred followed with a heavy heart, and the two 
trudged on in silence until they were within a short 
distance of the newly-discovered coal vein, when Bill 
exclaimed in surprise : 

“I’m blest if there isn’t Joe! What’s up now, I 
wonder?” 

This question was soon answered. The approaching 
miner cried while yet some distance away : 

“ What are you cornin’ back so soon for?” 

“There was no reason why we should stay longer,” 
and without sparing himself in the slightest. Bill ex- 
plained what a blunder had been committed. 

“Well, you’d better go to Blacktown agin, or else 
take the train for New York.” 

“Why?” 

“The cashier has been swearin’ out a warrant for 
Fred’s arrest, an’ it’ll be served the minute he gets 
back.” 

“ A warrant for me ?” Fred cried in alarm. “ What 
have I done?” 

“ The fool thinks you know where the money is, an’ 
that you made the arrangements with Sam, before he 
left, to get away with it.” 

“ Mr. Wright won’t allow such a thing.” 

‘ ‘ The letter he wrote seems to have made the cash- 
ier’s neck stiffer than it was yesterday, an’ I don’t 
reckon it would do much good to depend on any officer 
of the company.” 


i 82 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ I’ll give that feller a piece of my mind,” Bill cried 
angrily, and Joe replied : 

“Don’t do it yet a while. He told Donovan this 
noon that you’d gone with Fred to put the cash in a 
safe place, so it may be that the constable would like to 
see you by this time.” 

“Why, where does he think it was?” 

“ Buried on the mountain somewhere, an’ if he sends 
men out to see if any diggin’ has been done lately, the 
vein will surely be found.” 

“I’ll go back any way!” Bill cried after a short 
pause. “ Such as him shan’t call me a thief.” 

“ Now, look here, matey, what will be the good of 
gettin’ yourself in jail? I’ve told Fred’s mother jest 
how the matter stands, an’ she believes as I do, that 
it’ll be better to hang off a while in the hope something 
will turn up.” 

“ An’ have the constables chasin’ us all over the 
country.” 

“ It ain’t certain they’ll do that.” 

‘ ‘ But it may never be known positively who took 
the money,” Fred added. 

“ If you’re both so anxious to go to jail, wait till it 
is proved Sam is a thief, an’ then show up to the con- 
stable. Things can’t be worse for holdin’ on a few 
days.” 

‘ ‘ ’Cordin’ to your own figgerin’ there’s a chance the 
coal will be found. ” 

“I’ll take care of that business while you an’ Fred 
keep out of sight. With what I had, an’ what could be 
borrowed, I’ve got two hundred an’ twenty dollars. 


UNKXPKCTKD NKWS 183 

You shall take the odd money, an’ the balance I’ll 
plank down as a first payment on the land. ” 

‘ ‘ Do you know who owns it ? ” 

“ A farmer who lived five or six miles the other side 
of Blacktown.” 

“That’s correct, an’ the sooner you see him the 
better.” 

“ Will you agree to keep away from Farley’s?” 

“ Yes,” Bill said slowly, as if angry with himself for 
making the promise. “ Fred an’ me’ll sneak ’round 
’till the trade’s made for this side the mountain, an’ 
then figger up what it’s best to do. ” 

“ Where can I see you to-morrow? ” 

“Right here. We’ll stay in the woods a night or 
two.” 

“ Have you got anything to eat? ” 

“No; but it’s an easy matter to buy all we 
want.” 

‘ ‘ Take this money in case it is necessary to leave on 
the jump, an’ I’ll go on.” 

Handing his mate the twenty dollars, Joe went at 
a sharp gait toward Blacktown, and Bill said, with a 
shrug of the shoulders ; 

“So we’re both thieves ’cordin’ to the cashier’s 
ideas ; but wait ’till we get the land secured, an’ I’ll 
give that young man a lesson such as won’t be very 
pleasant.” 

“ Do you really mean to sleep in the woods? ” 

“ Why not? It’s warm weather, an’ we’ll be pretty 
nigh as well off there as at home.” 

“ Then we’d better be looking for a good place. If 
mother hadn’t sent word that I was to stay away, I’d 


184 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


go to Farley’s this minute an’ let them arrest me, for it 
seems as if we act guilty by running off. 

“ That’s jest my idee, lad ; but we’ll obey orders a 
day or two. ’ ’ 

A short distance to the right was a thickly-wooded 
grove, and here the two soon found what would serve 
very well as a camp. 

A small cleared space, almost entirely screened from 
view by bushes, afforded all the protection which might 
be needed, and Bill threw himself on the ground. 

“I reckon we can go without supper,” he said, 
with forced cheerfulness, “an’ there’ll be no bother 
about lockin’ the doors.” 

“It won’t be long before I’m asleep. Walking 
around so much has tired me more than a full day’s 
work in the breaker. ’ ’ 

“Don’t keep awake on my account. The sooner 
your eyes are closed the sooner you’ll forget that there’s 
a chance of bein’ sent to jail.” 

With his head pillowed on some dry leaves Fred had 
no difficulty in summoning slumber ; but Bill tossed to 
and fro on the hard bed without the slightest desire for 
sleep. 

The boy was dreaming of the frightful hours spent 
in the short slope after the explosion, when he was 
awakened by the pressure of a hand on his mouth. 

It w^as dark, save for the twinkling stars, and silent, 
except when the leaves w^ere swayed by the gentle wind. 

“Don’t speak,” Bill whispered as he removed his 
hand. ‘ ‘ I can see the light of a fire over there to the 
right, an’ it’s well for us to know who are campin’ so 


near. 


UNEXPECTED NEWS 


185 


‘ ‘ What do you want me to do ? ” 

“Follow me. We’ll creep up far enough to see 
what’s goin’ on, an’ then come back^ unless there’s 
reason for changin’ our lodgings.” 

“I’ll keep close behind you,” and Fred rose to his 
feet. Bill parting the bushes with both hands to avoid 
the slightest noise. 

The glow of flames could be seen a long distance 
away, evidently on the opposite edge of the grove, and 
the two approached it as rapidly as was consistent with 
silence. 

Soon the hum of voices was heard, and after a short 
time Bill stopped suddenly, gripped Fred by the hand, 
and pointed ahead. 

Around a camp-fire, over which pieces of meat were 
being cooked, sat Gus Dobson and the friend who had 
caused him to distrust Fred and Skip. 

‘ ‘ There may be a chance for us to find out a good 
deal of what we want to know,” Bill whispered, and 
once more he advanced, moving with the utmost 
caution. 

It was possible for the spies to creep within five 
yards of the encampment, thanks to the bushes, and 
when this had been accomplished the boys were eating 
supper. 

“ I don’t believe in stayin’ here too long,” Gus was 
saying when Fred and Bill were near enough to dis- 
tinguish the conversation. 

“ Nobody ’d think of huntin’ for us in this place,” 
his companion replied, “an’ it ain’t safe to take the 
cars yet a while, for them boys from Farley’s have got 
men to back ’em.” 


86 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ S’pposen they have? How can anybody find us if 
we walk up the track to the next station ? ” 

“ It’s easy enough to send word all around, an’ then 
we’d be nabbed the minute we showed our noses in a 
town. ” 

“ It will be jest as bad if they come here huntin’ 
for us.” 

“ You’re a reg’lar fool, Gus Dobson. So long as we 
can keep the stuff where it is, what’ll be gained by ar- 
restin’ us? We’ve got to take it with us when we 
leave, an’ then whoever catches us will have the thing 
down fine.” 

“ But we can’t stay here forever.” 

“A couple of weeks won’t hurt us, an’ by that time 
folks will give up lookin’ so sharp. They’ll think we 
got away.” 

“ We’re too near Farley’s.” 

“Then make a move. We can keep on a dozen 
miles or so through the woods, an’ bury the stuff agin.” 

“ I wanter get to New York.” 

“There’s plenty of time for that, an’ it’ll be nothing 
more’n fun to camp out two or three weeks.” 

Gus made no reply, and after supper had been eaten 
his companion lay down beside the fire, saying as he 
did so : 

“ I’m goin’ to sleep ; you can figger the thing out 
between now and mornin’, and say what you’re willin’ 
to do.” 

“ It’ll have to be as you say, I s’pose,” Gus replied, 
sulkily ; “but we must leave here.” 

“All right, we’ll start to-morrow, an’ when a good 
place is found, put up a reg’lar camp.” 


A MISADVKN'TURK 1 87 

As he said this the boy rolled over as if to end the 
conversation, and Gus laid down beside him. 

Bill waited until the heavy breathing of both told 
that they were asleep, and then, with a motion to Fred, 
he began to retreat. 

Not until he was an hundred yards from the camp- 
fire did the miner halt, and said in a low whisper : 

‘ ‘ It was a mighty good thing for us that warrant 
had been sworn out for you. If the cashier had waited 
a day or so we’d gone home without an idee of where 
them young scoundrels were. ” 

‘ ‘ It seems certain they’ve got the money. ” 

“ Not a doubt of it.” 

“ Why don’t we jump right in on them? Perhaps 
they’d tell where it was buried.” 

‘ ‘ If they didn’t we’d be worse off than before, for 
either one is smart enough to know nothin’ can be done 
to ’em while the cash is hid. The only way for us is to 
keep an eye on the little villains, ’till they get ready for 
amove. Then we’ll do our work.” 

‘ ‘ It’ll be pretty hard to watch in the day-time with- 
out being seen ourselves.” 

“We must manage to do it somehow, for this is, 
perhaps, our last chance to help Sam.” 


CHAPTER XXIII 

A MISADVENTURE 

Neither Fred nor Bill had any desire to sleep, now 
that the solution of the mystery seemed so near. They 
remained in the same place where the halt was made 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


1 88 

until the blackness of night gave way before the pale 
threads of light. 

“ It’s gettin’ pretty nigh time to begin our work,” 
Bill said, “an’ this heat we mustn’t make any mis- 
take.” 

“I’m afraid we can’t get near enough to see whether 
they take the money or not. Perhaps it isn’t anywhere 
around here.” 

“Then we’ll follow ’em, if it takes a week, to find 
out what we’re after. My idee is that we’d better sepa- 
rate, so’s to make sure of knowin’ what’s goin’ on. 
You stay here, an’ I’ll creep over to the other side, 
then we shall be doublin’ our chances.” 

“ But what is to be done in case we don’t see them 
dig up the money ? ’ ’ 

“ Foller, no matter how long a chase they lead us. 
We shall come together somewhere on the road ; but it 
won’t be a bad plan for you to take a little of this 
money. If we had only bought some grub last night 
things would be in better shape. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ I can get along without food for a week if there 
is any hope of helping Sam.” 

‘ ‘ The whole thing will be cleared up providin’ we 
don’t loose sight of them. Here’s the money, an’ now 
I’ll be off. You’d best crawl nearer before the sun 
rises.” 

With a pressure of the hand Bill started, making a 
wide detour around the encampment, and Fred was 
alone, trying hard to repress a tremor of excitement 
which was causing him to tremble as if in an ague fit. 

After waiting half an hour, and assuring himself 
that Bill was well off, Fred began an advance, working 


A misadvknturk 189 

his way from bush to bush until convinced he could ap- 
proach no nearer with safety. 

By this time the sun had risen, and his rays falling 
upon the faces of the sleepers, awakened them. 

Both sprang to their feet, and Gus began building 
the fire while his companion was busily engaged at 
something among the bushes — preparing food for cook- 
ing, as Fred thought. 

“Then you still think we oughter leave here?” 
Gus said, interrogatively. 

“ Yes, an’ the sooner the better. There’s no knowin’ 
when that feller’s friends may come sneakin’ around 
agin. We’ll hurry up with the breakfast, an’ start 
when it’s over.” 

The boys had quite an outfit, as Fred could now 
see. A frying-pan, coffee-pot, tin cups, plates, and a 
bag well filled with provisions. 

Gus acted the part of cook, and soon the odor of hot 
coffee was wafted in the direction of the watcher, caus- 
ing him to feel the need of something to eat. 

But little conversation was indulged in during the 
preparations for the meal. Gus’ companion did not 
show himself until everything was ready, and then he 
ate hurriedly as if time was too precious to admit of 
talking. 

“Now let’s divide the load,” the boy said, as he 
leaped to his feet and began tying the cooking utensils 
together. “ If you’ll see to the grub. I’ll take care of 
these.” 

Fred gazed intently, expecting to see the money ex- 
posed to view ; but no mention was made of it. 

Gus shouldered the bag ; his companion swung the 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


190 

remainder of the baggage over his shoulder, and the 
two started, walking rapidly around the mountain on a 
course which would carry them to the eastward at right 
angles with the railroad track. 

“ Fred followed, remaining as far in the rear as was 
possible to keep them within view, and at such a dis- 
tance that he could no longer overhear the conver- 
sation. 

Beyond a doubt Bill was also in pursuit ; but he did 
not show himself, and Fred fancied he was well over to 
the left travelling on a parallel line with the boys. 

During an hour these relative positions were main- 
tained, and then Gus threw down the bag as if to make 
a halt. 

“Now they’re going to dig up the money,” Fred 
said to himself, and he pressed forward that he might 
see all which occurred. 

In this he was mistaken, however. The two had 
simply stopped to rest, and such of the conversation as 
could be overheard only had reference to the location 
for a permanent camp, Gus insisting they were far 
enough away from the villages, while his companion 
urged that twice this distance should be covered. 

“It’s plain they have no idea of digging,” Fred 
muttered. “ It begins to look as if we had made a big 
mistake ; but if that is so, what was the meaning of 
the talk they made last night? ” 

It was an enigma which he could not solve. Al- 
though believing they were on the wrong track, he did 
not feel at liberty to abandon the search until after con- 
sulting with Bill, and as yet no signs had been seen of 
that gentleman. 


A MISADVKNTURK 


19I 

The halt was continued for half an hour, and then 
the two boys pushed on again, walking at a leisurely 
pace until the forenoon was well nigh spent, when they 
came to a full stop at the bank of a small brook. 

They were now, as nearly as Fred could judge, 
eight or nine miles from the starting point, and that 
this was the end of the journey could be told by the 
preparations made. 

From the bag a new hatchet was produced, and both 
set about hewing small trees and bushes with which to 
build a camp. 

Not until this shelter was put up did Fred dare to 
move near enough to hear what was said, and then he 
found a hiding-place in the thicket twenty paces in the 
rear of the rude dwelling. 

Even though two hours had been spent in this 
work. Bill did not show himself. It was possible, how- 
ever, that he believed it dangerous to move about in 
the daytime, but would join his companion after dark. 

Such conversation as the boys indulged in had no 
especial interest to the listener, since it referred almost 
entirely to the length of time they would remain in the 
camp. 

When the day came to an end Fred had not heard 
anything of importance, and he resolved to advise an 
immediate return to Farley’s when Bill should join 
him. 

During the evening Gus and his companion ap- 
peared to be very jolly; they told stories, sang, and 
laughed as if there was nothing in connection with this 
“camping out ” to be concealed, and the watcher in the 
bushes wondered why the miner did not come. 


192 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


Half a dozen men might have walked around the 
encampment without being observed by the boys, and 
Bill’s delay seemed very singular. 

Fred did not dare to leave his place of concealment, 
and even if it had been perfectly safe to do so, he knew 
not in which direction to look for his friend, therefore 
nothing could be done save exercise patience. 

The hours passed without any change in the condi- 
tion of affairs. The camp-fire burned itself out. The 
supposed culprits retired to rest, and Fred, who had 
slept but a short time during the previous night, found 
it absolutely impossible to prevent his eyes from clos- 
ing. 

Lower and lower his head drooped upon his breast 
until slumber came, and he remained unconscious for 
many hours. 

The glare of the sunlight aroused him after the oc- 
cupants of the camp were astir, and he sprang to his 
feet in alarm. 

The noise made by this sudden movement startled 
those whom he had been detailed to watch, and before 
Fred could collect his scattered senses both the boys 
were upon him. 

For a single instant the three stood surveying each 
other, and then Gus and his companion seized the be- 
wildered spy by the arms, rendering useless his frantic 
struggles to defend himself. 

“ Can you hold him, Tim, while I get something to 
tie his hands? ” Gus cried, and Tim replied : 

“ I can take care of three or four jest like him. Get 
the rope outer the bag ; that’ll be strong enough.” 

With a quick movement the boy clasped Fred 


A MISADVENTURE 


193 


around the waist and held him firmly until Gus re- 
turned. 

When the prisoner’s hands had been lashed to his 
side he was led to the camp, where his legs were also 
bound, and the captors seated themselves in front of 
him. 

“Now tell us where that man is?” Tim said, 
sternly. 

“What man?” . 

“You know who I mean ; the feller what come over 
to Blacktown with you an’ Skip.” 

“ I wish I knew,” Fred replied with a sigh. 

“Don’t lie to us,” and Gus shook his fist in the 
helpless boy’s face. “That miner went to a lawyer an’ 
told him I had a hand in stealin’ the money what Sam 
Thorpe lost. Then you an’ Skip tried- to pump me. 
Now give us the whole yarn, or things will be mighty 
hot.” 

Fred remained silent. 

“ He’s been follerin’ us ever since we left the town,” 
Tim said after a moment’s thought, “ an’ it stands us 
in hand to get outer this lively, or the rest of his gang 
will be on us.” 

“ Have we got to do more trampin’ jest on account 
of a sneak like this ? ’ ’ Gus asked fretfully. 

“ Do you want to stay an’ run the chance of bein’ 
carried back to Blacktown ? ’ ’ 

“ Of course not ; but travelin’ all the time when we 
mighter got on the cars in the first place is more’n I 
bargained for.” 

“ If you’d had your way we’d been pulled in before 
this. Get the stuff in shape, an’ I reckon we’ll fix 


13 


194 


DOWN THE) SDOPK 


things right now. I^et him carry the load, an’ we’ll 
take the tramp kinder easy.” 

Gus obeyed with a very ill grace, and while he was 
getting the cooking utensils together Tim walked along 
the bank of the brook to where a flat stone lay half 
submerged in the water. 

Fred watched his every movement as he overturned 
this, and dug with a pointed stick until a small, square 
package had been exposed to view. 

There was no question in the prisoner’s mind but 
that the wrappings of cloth covered the money Sam 
was accused of stealing, and now the secret had really 
been discovered, all else seemed trifling in compari- 
son. 

“I wonder how it happened that I didn’t see that 
when they left the last camp?” he thought, as Tim 
put the bundle carefully in the inside pocket of his 
coat. 

“ So you’ve found out what you come for, eh ? ” the 
boy cried, angrily. “Well, it won’t do any good, for 
when we get through with sneaks they can’t do much 
harm. Pick up that load, an’ if you don’t walk lively 
I’ll find a way to make you.” 

‘ ‘ How can I pick up anything while my legs are 
tied?” 

'Tim unfastened the ropes from Fred’s ankles ; loos- 
ened one of his arms, and threw the cooking utensils 
over his shoulder. 

1 “Come on Gus,” he said, impatiently. “We’ll 
take turns carryin’ the grub ’till we’ve given the slip 
5b0 whoever may be follerin’, and then he can tote the 
whole load.” 


BII,I,’S MISHAP 


195 


Fred was faint from lack of food ; but he mentally 
braced himself to perform the task, and Gus cried as he 
struck him a blow full in the face : 

“Step out now, an’ when we make camp to-night 
you’ll get a taste of how we serve spies. It’ll be a worse 
dose than the regulators ever gave you, an’ don’t for- 
get it.” 

“ There’s no time for foolishness,” Tim said, impa- 
tiently. “ His gang may be close behind, an’ we can’t 
afford to pay him off yet a while. ’ ’ 

With this sage remark he took up the provision 
bag, and led the way across the base of the hill, at 
right angles with the course pursued on the previous 
day, while Gus remained in the rear to urge the pris- 
oner on in case he faltered. 


CHAPTER XXIV 
bibb’s mishap 

JoK Brace returned to Farley’s on the morning 
after he warned Bill and Fred of what the cashier 
intended to do, and went directly to Mrs. Byram’s. 

“I’ve bought the land!” he cried, exultantly. 
‘ ‘ The farmer was mighty glad of a chance to sell for 
five hundred dollars, an’ if I’d had more time the price 
could have been whittled down to four. There’s a 
mortgage of three hundred to be paid in a year, an’ 
that’ll be jest the same as nothin’ after we show up 
what’s there.” 

“Did 3^ou see Fred?” the widow asked, anxiously, 
paying but little attention to the good news. 


196 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“Met him an’ Bill last night; told ’em what was 
up, and they’ll keep shady ’till things can be fixed.” 

‘ ‘ Then nothing was accomplished by their going to 
Blacktown? ” 

Joe explained why that excursion had been a 
failure, and added : 

“They’re on the right track, so we can count on 
everything cornin’ out right before long.” 

“Are 3^ou intending to stay here? ” 

“ No ; I only came to tell you what had been done, 
an’ shall go back on the train to make sure my deed is 
recorded. I bought in the name of By ram, Thorpe, 
Thomas & Brace. How does that strike you for a 
firm?” 

“Although you and Mr. Thomas are so sure the 
discovery will be a source of great wealth, I can’t feel 
much interest in it while Fred is in danger. I wish 
they would go to some city, rather than remain so near 
home.” 

“I shall see ’em this afternoon an’ now that the 
business of the land is settled, will advise them to take 
a little pleasure trip.” 

“Please see to it that they do not suffer for food.” 

“I’ll tend to everything in great shape. Have you 
heard whether Mr. Wright has got back? ” 

‘ ‘ He sent word that he would be home to-night. ’ ’ 

“Then, perhaps, I’d better wait an’ have another 
talk with him.” 

“No, no; I will see him myself. It is more im- 
portant you care for those who are hiding in the woods. ” 

Joe had no further time for conversation. The 
train by which he intended to return to Blacktown was 


bull’s mishap 


197 


already due and he hurried away after repeating con- 
fidently : 

“ I’ll see’em to-night, ma’am, an’ you can rest easy. 
They shall live on the fat of the land now we own a 
coal mine. ’ ’ 

There was barely time for the miner to leap on 
board the cars, and as they were whirled away by the 
puffing engine, the constable who had arrested Sam 
accosted him. 

“ Where you bound, Joe? ” 

“To Blacktown,” was the gruff reply. “ What are 
you up to? Servin’ warrants for that fool of a 
cashier? ” 

“Yes, I reckon that’s about the size of it.” 

“Got one for me? ” 

“Of course not ; what makes you talk such non- 
sense?” 

“I heard that Bill was goin’ to be ’rested, ’cause 
he’d tried to help Sam, an’ seein’s he’s a mate of mine 
I didn’t know but you’d planned to pull in the whole 
family. ’ ’ 

“But now be honest, an’ admit that the case looks 
pretty black for the two boys. ’ ’ 

“That’s all nonsense. Sam lost the money, an’ it 
was the fault of the company, not his.” 

“ How do you make that out ? ” 

“Easy enough. They’d no business to send him 
with so much stuff. It was the cashier’s duty, an’ 
that’s what makes him so sore, ’cause Mr. Wright’s 
bound to blame such slip- shod ways of shirkin’ work.” 

“ Allowin’ you’re right, it don’t help Sam Thorpe’s 
case any.” 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


198 


“ We’ll see about it before the world’s many days 
older. I ain’t quite a fool, an’ when I get through 
your precious cashier will feel sick.” 

After this threat Joe refused to indulge in further 
conversation, and the constable left him to seek more 
agreeable company. 

The words of the officer had aroused a new train of 
thought in the miner’s mind, he fancied the lawyer 
whom Bill had consulted should be informed of what 
had happened. 

With this idea he visited the legal gentleman, 
immediately after the train arrived in Blacktown, and 
- not only told him all which had happened relative to 
the robbery ; but divulged the secret of the vein. 

The knowledge that his clients were in a fair way to 
be rich, and, consequently, influential, caused a very 
decided change in the lawyer’s manner, and he displayed 
more zeal than Joe had expected. 

“We can easily get bail for your friends in case they 
are arrested,” he said, “ and in the meanwhile I will 
attend to the deeds. It is necessary the titles should be 
searched before the discovery is known by the public, 
and if you need any money I shall be glad to advance 
it.” 

“If the farmer can’t back out of his trade, we’ve 
got all that’ll be wanted yet awhile,” Joe replied “but 
the most important thing jest now is to get Bill an’ the 
boys out of their scrape. ’ ’ 

“Can you find Mr. Thomas?” 

“ I reckon so.” 

‘ ‘ Then tell him to come here at once. Perhaps it 
will be well for the boy to remain in hiding a day or two 


BIIvI^’S MISHAP 


99 


longer, and I shall make it my business to ascertain 
what evidence there is against him.” 

“ I’ll go for Bill how,” and Joe left the office, after 
having been again assured by the lawyer that the trans- 
fer of the property would be attended to without delay. 

The miner prepared for his walk by buying a small 
stock of provisions, and then he set off in the direction 
of the mountain, believing it would be possible to find 
his mate with but little difficulty. 

An hour’s tramp brought him to the famous vein on 
which he had already built many air-castles; but neither 
Bill nor Fred could be seen. 

Satisfying himself that there were no strangers in 
the vicinity he called them loudly by name ; but without 
receiving any reply. 

Then he trudged on around the mountain, shouting 
alternately for one and the other, until afar off in the 
distance it seemed as if an answering hail could be heard. 

Now he ran with all speed in that direction, and 
soon he heard Bill’s voice crying : 

“Joe! Is it you, Joe?” 

“ Indeed it is, my hearty. Where are you ?” 

‘ ‘ Here in the bushes with what come mighty nigh 
bein’ a broken leg.” 

Joe was soon by the side of his mate, whom he 
found lying on the ground apparently in the last stages 
of exhaustion. 

“ What’s the matter, old man? Are you hurt?” 

Bill told of what he and Fred had seen, and about 
the proposed chase, concluding by saying : 

‘ ‘ When the little villians started around the moun- 
tain I follered, as the boy an’ me had agreed on ; but 


200 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


after a two-hour’s tramp I fell into a hole, an’ reckon 
my leg is broke.” 

“ I don’t see any hole,” Joe said, as he looked about 
him. 

“It happened a long bit back. I didn’t w^ant to 
break up the game by lettin’ Fred know what was 
wrong, an’ so tried to crawl toward the vein, thinkin’ 
if folks were sent out to look for the money they’d find 
me ; but this is as far as I could get. It w^ould ’a been 
a case of starvin’ if you hadn’t come along.” 

“ If you’re hungry I can fix that part of it all right,” 
and Joe produced the package of provisions. “ Have a 
good time with this while I take a look at the leg. ’ ’ 

Only the most superficial examination was necessary. 
The broken bones could be plainly felt, and the limb 
was so swollen that it seemed essential, that the boot 
and trousers should be cut from it. 

“I don’t see my way clear in this job,” Joe ex- 
claimed, as he removed the garments. “ It ain’t safe to 
leave you here alone, an’ yet help must be had to carry 
you to Farley’s.” 

“ Now that I’ve got a mouthful I can lay here a few 
hours longer. Go on, I’ll keep till you get back.” 

‘ ‘ If there w^as some water near by I could tie you up 
more comfortable like.” 

“ Never mind that, but leave at once, so to be the 
sooner here.” 

Joe hesitated no longer, but set off across the moun- 
tain at a speed which brought him to Farley’s in less 
than half an hour. 

Here it was only necessary to state what had hap- 
pened in order to find plenty of volunteers for the task 


bill’s mishap 


201 


of bringing Bill home, and as the party set out Mrs. 
Byram followed a short distance by Joe’s side, in order 
to say : 

“I’ve seen Mr. Wright, and he evidently believes 
both Sam and Fred are guilty.’’ 

“ Won’t he let up till we can run down them fellers 
what Bill was follerin’ ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ He says to me, as he did to you, that the law must 
take its course, and will not even do anything to pre- 
vent Bill’s arrest.’’ 

“We’re goin’ to bring the poor feller home, an’ this 
company what think they own Farley’s an’ every soul 
in it had better let him alone.’’ 

‘ ‘ Take him to my house, where he can have more 
care than at a boarding-place. ’ ’ 

“All right, an’ thank ye, ma’am.’’ 

‘ ‘ But what about Fred ? Where is he ? ’ ’ 

“ There’s no call to worry because of him. As soon 
as Bill is off my hands I’ll hunt the boy up, an’ p’rhaps 
the two of us will bring home the real thieves. ’ ’ 

The widow could go no farther, and Joe took his 
place at the head of the party, walking at his best pace. 

Bill was suffering a great deal of pain when his 
friends arrived, but not a word of complaint escaped his 
lips, and some pleasant word was exchanged for every 
greeting. 

“ It’ll be .a hard pull to get me over the mountain, 
but I’ll not see Farley’s for many a long day if you 
can’t hold out.’’ 

“We’ll have you there, old man, an’ not spend any 
too much breath over the job,’’ Joe said cheerily, as he 
began to build a litter. 


202 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


Several of the party were curious to learn why Bill 
had come into that out-of-the-way place, but he refused 
to make any explanations, and Joe pretended not to 
hear the many questions. 

It was nearly dark before the injured man arrived at 
Mrs. Byram’s home, and then nature had so far- asserted 
her rights that he lay unconscious until after the physi- 
cian arrived. 

“ I reckon I’ve done all that’s possible,” Joe said to 
the widow, ” an’ now I’ll start back.” 

“You won’t think of searching through the woods 
in the night. ’ ’ 

“No; but I’ll trudge over to where I found Bill, 
so’s the hunt can be begun bright an’ early. It ain’t 
likely I’ll bring Fred home till after I’ve seen the law- 
yer agin.” 

“ If he isn’t in trouble it will be better to remain 
away a few days longer.” 

“ I’ll answer for it that he’s all right, ma’am, an it 
sha’n’t be many hours now ’till he can hold his head 
up with the best of ’em.” 

With these cheering words Joe left the house, in- 
tending to go home for supper before continuing his 
task ; but on arriving opposite the store Mr. Wright 
stopped him by saying sternly : 

‘ ‘ I would like to have a few words with you, Mr. 
Brace.” 

“My time has come, ’ ’ Joe muttered to himself ; ‘ ‘ but 
I’ll show these smart fellows that they can’t haul up 
everybody in town jest because it pleases ’em.” 


joe’s interview 


203 


CHAPTER XXV 
joe’s interview 

Joe Brace had a very good idea of why the super- 
intendent wished to see him, and he entered the office 
prepared to speak his mind plainly. 

‘ ‘ I understand that you have not been working for 
the past day or two,” Mr. Wright began. 

“That’s correct.” 

‘ ‘ Have you left our employ ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ It amounts to pretty much that. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Has Thomas quit also ? ’ ’ 

“When a man knows that he’s to be arrested, he 
ain’t likely to hang ’round so’s the warrant can be 
served without much trouble to the constable. But 
jest now Bill isn’t in a condition to work for any- 
body.” 

“ What’s the matter? ” 

‘ ‘ He broke his leg, an’ a lot of the boys have 
brought him to the Widder Byram’s house.” 

“ I hadn’t heard of that.” 

“ It’ll come kinder rough on the constable.” 

‘ ‘ I understand to what you refer. Brace, and am 
not pleased to hear you speak in such a manner.” 

“ It can’t be helped, sir. When a feller sees them 
as risked everything to do the company a good turn 
while Billings had full sway, run down an’ chucked into 
jail for nothin’, it makes him feel sore.” 

“There was good reason for the arrest of Sam 
Thorpe. ’ ’ 


DOWN THE SDOPB 


^04 


“Even admittin’ that’s so, which I don’t, why- 
should Fred Byram an’ Bill be pulled into the fuss? 
There’s nothin’ to connect them with it.” 

‘ ‘ They have acted very suspiciously ever since the 
money was said to have been lost. ’ ’ 

“That’s where you are makin’ a big mistake, Mr. 
Wright. I’ve had a hand in all their maneuvers, an’ 
so has the widder, consequently if one is guilty the 
whole crowd are.” 

“ What do you mean?” 

“ I can’t explain yet awhile ; but it’ll come out be- 
fore long, w^hen you’ll see everything was square an’ 
above board.” 

“ Took here. Brace,” Mr. Wright said, in a friendly 
tone: “I called you in here to have a confidential chat 
upon the subject, and it is not right to keep from me 
anything which may have a bearing on the matter.” 

“What I know can’t be told for a while; but I’ll 
give you the particulars of what we’ve already found 
out,” and without further questioning Joe related the 
events of the past three days, save so far as they w^ere 
connected with the discovery of the vein. 

“It surely looks suspicious,” the superintendent 
said, musingly; “but I fail to understand how those 
boys could have gotten the money from Sam’s pocket, 
unless he remained in town skylarking with them.” 

“ That’s somethin’ I can’t explain ; but when I find 
Fred we’ll know a good deal more about the matter.” 

‘ ‘ Do you think anything could be accomplished by 
my visiting Sam ?” 

“I’m certain of it, for one talk with him is bound 
to convince you he isn’t a thief.” 


JOK’S INTE^RVIKW 


205 


The superintendent remained silent several moments, 
and it seemed very much as if this second conversation 
with Joe had caused a change of opinion. 

“Very well,” he said finally, “ I will think the mat- 
ter over. Shall you be here in the morning?” 

“I’m goin’ to leave Farley’s as soon as I get a bite 
to eat, an’ it ain’t likely I’ll be back ’till Fred can come 
with me.” 

Mr. Wright arose to intimate that the interview was 
at an end, and Joe left the store with a gesture of defi- 
ance and anger toward the cashier. 

While all this was taking place Fred occupied any- 
thing rather than an enviable position. 

When the march was begun he found it extremely 
difiicult to make his way through the woods, loaded 
down as he was and with one arm tied to his side ; but 
Gus had no mercy. At every opportunity he spurred 
the prisoner on, using a stout stick for the purpose, and 
more than once was Fred on the point of open rebellion. 

He felt confident the boys would not dare do more 
than give him a cruel flogging, after which they must 
leave him behind ; but this would be to lose sight of the 
thieves, and almost anything was preferable to being 
thus defeated in his purpose. 

“I’ll stick it out,” he said to himself, “and wait 
for the time when I can tell the story to some one who 
will help make them prisoners. ’ ’ 

During an hour the boys traveled straight ahead, 
and then Gus insisted upon a halt. 

Tim agreed, because his breakfast had not been per- 
fectly satisfactory, and he wanted a second meal now 
they were, as he believed, free from pursuit. 


2o6 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


The provisions were brought out from the bag, and 
as the two boys began to eat Fred’s hunger returned 
with such a force that he could not resist the impulse 
to ask for food. 

“ Say, if you’ll give me some of that bread I’ll carry 
all the load w^hen we start again. I haven’t had a 
mouthful since I left Blacktowm.” 

“ An’ you’ll go without two or three days longer,” 
Gus replied with malicious pleasure. “You’ll have the 
whole load, an’ no trade about it either, so hold your 
tongue or I’ll use the stick again.” 

Tim laughed as if he thought it great sport to hear 
the prisoner begging for food, and Fred threw himself 
upon the ground, resolving not to give them another 
opportunity for mirth. 

“ If there’s a chance to get hold of the bag to-night 
I’ll help myself,” he thought. “ It can’t be stealing, 
for I’m surely entitled to a share when they force me to 
stay with them.” 

Gus amused himself for a while by thrusting food 
close to the prisoner’s face and then withdrawing it, but 
he tired of this when Fred made no effort to take what 
he knew was not intended for him. 

The halt continued about an hour, and then, as Gus 
had threatened, both packages were placed on Fred’s 
shoulders. 

“ Now step out livelier than you did before, for we 
don’t want to make another halt until we are ready to 
build a camp, ” Tim said, as he began the advance. 

“ Treat me decent an’ I’ll travel as fast as you can.” 

“ You ain’t gettin’ it half as bad as you deserve, an’ 
it’d be a good idea to keep your mouth shut.” 


job’s intbrvikw 


207 


As during the first portion of the journey, Gus 
amused himself by prodding the prisoner with a stick, 
but as the day lengthened and Tim refused to halt, the 
boy grew too weary to indulge in such pleasantries. 

In order that Fred might carry all the burden, it 
was necessary to unloosen both his hands, and, without 
being observed by his companions, he contrived to 
transfer several crackers from the bag to his pocket. 

The second stage of the journey lasted nearly two 
hours, and then Tim decided the camp should be erected 
on the bank of a small stream. 

They were now, according to Fred’s belief, not more 
than twenty miles from Black town, and a trifle less 
than that distance from Farley’s. 

As far away as the eye could reach was a town, but 
no one knew its name. 

“We might have stayed nearer home if the camp 
is to be made so close to a settlement, ’ ’ Gus said fret- 
fully. 

“ While we keep out of sight nobody’ll know we’re 
here, an’ in case we want to leave suddenly on the cars, 
it won’t be far to walk. I’d like to get hold of a boat, 
an’ then we could run down the stream without much 
trouble.’’ 

‘ ‘ Why not buy one ? ’ ’ 

“After a day or two we’ll find out if there is any 
near. Just now we must get the camp built, an’ then 
take things comfortable for awhile.” 

Fred watched Tim’s every movement in order to 
learn where the money would be hidden ; but failed to 
see any attempt at burying it. The protuberance just 
over his breast served to show the treasure was yet in 


2o8 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


his possession, and Gus seemed well content it should 
remain there. 

The prisoner was ordered to hew the materials 
for the camp while the others put them together, 
and during this work he contrived to eat the stolen 
crackers. 

The shelter was a rude affair, hardly more than suf- 
ficient to protect them from the rays of the sun, and 
when completed all hands lay down to rest, Fred being 
bound hand and foot again to prevent any attempt at 
escape. 

Not until night was the prisoner given food, and 
then Gus doled out two crackers, an amount which 
would have been little more than an aggravation if he 
had not previously ministered to his own wants. 

During the hours of darkness no watch was kept ; 
but Fred remained awake nearly all the time, straining 
his ears in the vain hope that he might hear something 
of Bill. 

The second and third days were but repetitions of 
the first, and then it became necessary to visit the vil- 
lage in order to procure food. 

“I’ll walk up the stream ’till a place to cross is 
found,” Tim said, “an’ if I don’t see a boat before 
then, will strike out for the town. Keep your eye 
on the sneak, an’ don’t give him a chance to get 
away. ’ ’ 

“ Help me fix the ropes around his legs a little 
tighter, an’ I’ll answer for it that he won’t go far.” 

Tim complied with this request, and when Fred was 
trussed up like a chicken, he took* from his pocket the 
stolen money. 


job’s interview 


209 


“ It won’t do to carry all this, so you’d better take 
care of it a while. Ten dollars will be enough for me, 
even if I should happen to come across the boat.” 

Subtracting this amount from the total, he gave the 
remainder to Gus, who put it carelessly in his pocket 
as if accustomed to handling large sums of money. 

Then he started along the bank of the stream, his 
companion accompanying him a short distance, and 
Fred realized that the time had come when he must 
make one desperate attempt to take his jailer pris- 
oner. 

‘ ‘ Gus has got nearly all the money, ’ ’ he said to him- 
self, ‘ ‘ and if I could manage to slip the ropes it would 
only be a question of a fight, in which I’m almost cer- 
tain to get the upper hand.” 

He had been left seated with his back against the 
trunk of a tree, and the first move necessary was to re- 
lease his arms. 

To do this he struggled desperately, regardless of 
the pain ; but the bonds remained firm until Gus re- 
turned, when, as a matter of course, he did not dare to 
make any further movement. 

“ Now Tim is so far away that he can’t interfere, 
I’m going to pay you off for playin’ the sneak,” Gus 
said, as he took up his station directly in front of the 
prisoner. “ If I had my way you shouldn’t have a 
bite to eat from now out, an’ by the time we get ready 
to leave you couldn’t do much mischief.” 

“If you’re afraid, why not kill me? That’s the 
safest plan.” 

“ I’d like to,” was the savage reply, “an’ would if 
I was sure of not bein’ pulled up for murder. I can 


14 


210 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


give you a lively time for the next two or three hours, 
though.” 

Gus began to fulfill his promise by tickling Fred’s 
nose with a twig, and the prisoner was by no means 
averse to the cruel sport, since it gave him a good ex- 
cuse to struggle. 

He writhed and twisted as if to move beyond reach 
of his tormentor ; but all the while his sole aim was to 
release his hands, and Gus was so deeply engrossed 
with the efforts to cause pain that he failed to under- 
stand what his victim might succeed in doing. 


CHAPTER XXVI 

TURNING THE TABUKS 

The constant straining caused Fred to perspire freely, 
and after many vain efforts he succeeded in catching 
the rope which was around his wrists, under the point 
of a projecting limb of the tree. 

Now he had a purchase, and by a mighty effort at 
the moment when Gus made a more than usually vicious 
lunge, slipped one of his hands from the bonds, thanks 
to the perspiration which moistened the strands. 

He did not take immediate advantage of his free- 
dom. It was essential to await a favorable opportunity, 
and this came when Gus knelt before him for the pur- 
pose of pricking the apparently helpless boy with the 
blade of his knife. 

Fred could not arise ; but he flung both arms around 
his tormentor’s neck, hugging him so close as to pre- 
vent the latter from using his hands. 


TURNING THK TABUKS 


21 1 


For an instant his surprise was so great that he 
remained motionless; but before Fred could take any 
advantage of his inactivity Gus recovered from the 
shock to exert all his strength, and began to free him- 
self. 

Under ordinary circumstances Fred would have been 
no match for his captor ; but now the knowledge of 
what was to be gained lent him great energy, and he 
clung to him with desperation. 

“Let go, or I’ll stab you with this knife,” Gus 
shouted ; but Fred was too careful of his wind to make 
any reply. 

Over and over they rolled, one trying to use his 
weapon, while the other did his best to prevent it, and 
but for an accident the battle might have been con- 
tinued until the smaller boy was exhausted. 

It was not possible to control the direction of their 
bodies, and suddenly both were precipitated into the 
stream. 

Fred was a good swimmer, while his adversary knew 
but little of the art, and he succeeded in holding Gus’ 
head under water until he was nearly strangled. 

The tables were now turned. 

It only remained for Fred to drag the half -uncon- 
scious boy to the shore, and there transfer the rope 
from one pair of legs to the other. 

When Gus again had a clear idea of matters he was 
securely tied, and Fred had put into his own pocket 
the package of money which Sam was accused of 
stealing. 

To pack in small compass the remaining store of 
provisions, cut a stout stick, and place the hatchet in 


212 


DOWN 'THK SDOPK 


a belt improvised from a piece of the rope, occupied but 
a few moments, and then Fred said, sternly : 

“I’m going to slacken up on your legs a bit, so’s 
you can walk, and now it’s your turn to step out lively. ’ ’ 

“ When Tim comes back you shall pay for this.” 

‘ ‘ I intend to be a long distance from here before 
that time arrives. ’ ’ 

“ He can catch you.” 

“To do it he’ll have to be smarter than I think he 

is.” 

“Wait an’ see.” 

“That’s just what I don’t propose doin’. I under- 
stand your purpose now ; you’re trying to keep me 
here as long as possible. Get up.” 

“ I won’t an’ you can’t make me.” 

Fred struck the prisoner several severe blows ; but 
he did not so much as cry out. 

“ I’ll beat you black and blue, if you don’t stand up 
and walk.” 

‘ ' Pound away, I can bear a good deal of that rather 
than go to jail.” 

Again Fred used the stick ; but in vain. Gus shut 
his teeth firmly, and took the punishment with a 
stoicism worthy a better cause. 

It was important that no time should be lost. Tim 
might find a boat and return to the camp before going 
to the town. 

Fred stood still in perplexity for an instant, and 
then throwing aside the stick raised Gus in his arms. 

It was a heavy burden ; but he staggered on with 
all possible speed. 

As soon as Gus began to understand that he might 


TURNING THK TABUKS 


213 


be carried away despite his refusal to walk, he set up a 
series of the most terrific yells, and Fred was forced to 
come to a halt. 

“ I’ll soon put an end to that kind of fun,” he said, 
angrily, while whittling a piece of soft wood. “With 
this in your mouth there won’t be much screaming.” 

Now Gus began to fancy he might be finally beaten, 
and then tried new tactics. 

“See here, all you want is the money, an’ now 
you’ve got it I’ll agree that neither Tim nor me ’ll chase 
or try in any way to catch you, if I’m left here. 
There’ s no need even to take off the ropes ; but let me 
stay where he’ll see me.” 

Fred shook his head. 

‘ ‘ I need you quite as much as I do the money, and 
I am bound to take you along.” 

“ What good will it do to have me put in jail? ” 

“It’ll be the means of freeing a better fellow than 
you ever dared to be.” 

“I’ll kill you some day.” 

“Possibly, but that don’t let you out of this 
scrape. ’ ’ 

By this time Fred had the gag ready, and a stout 
pressure on the prisoner’s cheeks caused him to open 
his mouth. 

The wood was thrust between Gus’ teeth, and Fred 
tied his handkerchief over it to prevent it from slip- 
ping. 

“Now when you’re willing to walk I’ll take that 
out,” he said. “ Once in every few minutes, when we 
have to stop to rest I’ll look at your eyes. If you 
wink, it means you’re ready to do as I say.” 


214 


DOWN THK SI.OPK 


Gus glared at him savagely; but was careful to 
keep his eyes wide open. 

Again Fred shouldered his burden, realizing, mean- 
while that he could never reach Farley’s if his prisoner 
remained obstinate. 

When an hundred 5^ards had been traversed he was 
forced to rest. 

Gus’ eyes stared at him. 

A second and a third time was this repeated. At 
each interval the distance was shorter, and Fred knew 
he could not travel much farther. 

“If he don’t give in pretty soon I shall,” he mut- 
tered to himself as he threw his burden to the ground 
for the third time. 

To his great relief Gus winked violently when Fred 
pulled the handkerchief down to gain a view of his 
eyes and the gag was removed without loss of time. 

“Will you agree to walk now? ” he asked. 

“Yes, yes; it wouldn’t take a feller long to stifle 
with that thing in his mouth.” 

“ I don’t care what happens so long as I get you to 
Farley’s.” 

Once more Gus tried to beg off ; but Fred would 
not listen. 

“Walk fast,” he said, “an’ if you don’t do your 
best, in goes the gag again.” 

There was no necessity of emphasizing the demand. 
The prisoner moved with alacrity; but his captor was 
by no means certain as to which was the proper course. 

Tim had made so many turns in his flight that 
Fred’s ideas regarding the points of the compass were 
very hazy. 


TURNING THE TABEES 


215 


Both the boys were suffering from lack of water, and 
no halt was made until two or three hours past noon, 
when they were at the edge of a swamp. 

Quenching their thirst with the ill- tasting liquid, 
they lay down on the ground to rest, and did not con- 
tinue their journey for some time. 

‘ ‘ Why not stay here all night ? ’ ’ Gus asked. 

“ Because we haven’t traveled far enough yet.” 

” But I can’t hold out much longer, no matter how 
hard I try.” 

“You’ll have to go as far as I do.” 

“ Wait till mornin’, an’ then I’ll walk twice as fast 
to make up for the time spent now. ’ ’ 

“ We must get in another hour’s tramp before sun- 
set,” Fred replied, determinedly, and although Gus 
pleaded very hard the decision was not changed. 

But little was accomplished during the last portion 
of the traveling. Both were thoroughly tired, and 
when the shadows of night shrouded the recesses of the 
forest in gloom the welcome word was given. 

“ Here’s a little stream, and we’d better stop here, ' 
there’s a chance for a drink.” 

“ It’s about time,” Gus added, sulkily as he threw 
himself on the ground. 

Fred divided half of the food into two portions ; but 
did not dare to loosen the prisoner’s arms sufficiently to 
admit of his eating unaided. 

“I’ll feed you first, and then take my share,” he 
said, and Gus devoured the food ravenously, after which 
he quenched his thirst, when Fred bound him securely 
to a tree. 

The prisoner slept soundly ; but to his captor the 


2i6 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


night was the longest he had ever known. He did not 
dare give himself wholly up to slumber lest Tim should 
be on their track, and attempt to effect a rescue, while 
the fear that the money might be lost, this time beyond 
recovery, rendered him very nervous. 

“It’s going to be tough lines before we get to 
Farley’s,” he said to himself; “but I ought to hold 
out if for no other reason than to clear Sam beyond a 
doubt.” 

When the morning finally came Fred fed Gus again ; 
both took large drinks of water, and their journey was 
resumed. 

Now Gus neither begged nor made comments. He 
marched just ahead of his captor in a sullen manner, as 
if having decided upon a certain course of action, and 
Fred remained continually on the alert, fearing lest he 
meditated an attack. 

At noon the two halted, and while eating the last of 
the provisions, knowing that after this they must go 
hungry until arriving at a settlement, Fred fancied he 
heard a noise as of someone approaching. 

His first thought was that Tim had succeeded in 
following their trail, and he hurriedly made ready a gag 
to prevent an alarm from being given. 

Gus heard the same noise, and before Fred could 
prevent him he began to shout loudly for help. 

It was several seconds before the outcries could be 
checked, and then the mischief had been done. 

The noise of a heavy body forcing its way through 
the underbrush sounded more clearly, and Fred sprang 
to his feet, hatchet in hand, ready to defend himself to 
the utmost. 


AN UNI.OOKKD-FOR DENIAI, 


217 


Gus looked triumphant, and again shouted loudly ; 
but the expression of his eye was changed to despair as 
the stranger burst through the foliage. 

“Why Joe ! Joe ! “ Fred cried, as he leaped forward 
and caught Brace by the hands. ‘ ‘ How did you happen 
to get here just when you were most needed? “ 

“ I reckon I’d gone right past without knowin’ you 
was anywhere near, if it hadn’t been for your wild 
yells.’’ 

“ It was Gus who did that,’’ Fred replied, glancing 
with a smile toward the discomfited prisoner. ‘ ‘ He 
thought as I did, that it was Tim.’’ 

‘ ‘ Do you mean his partner ? ’ ’ 

“Yes.’’ 

‘ ‘ Have you got the best of both ? ’ ’ 

In the fewest words possible Fred explained how the 
capture had been made, and Joe actually leaped for joy 
when the stolen money was displayed. 


CHAPTER XXVII 

AN UNEOOKED-FOR DENIAL 

“You’ve done a big thing, my boy,’’ Brace said, 
approvingly, when Fred’s story was concluded, “ an’ it 
won’t be long before we can bring Sam back to Farley’s 
with not so much as a suspicion against him. Besides 
that, we own the land that’ll make all hands rich.’’ 

‘ ‘ How did you do it ? ’ ’ 

"Joe gave him all the details, and concluding with 
the interview between himself and Mr. Wright, said : 


2i8 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


“I didn’t leave that night as I decided on; but 
went hack to see poor Bill, an’ your mother insisted I 
stay till mornin’. The sun wasn’t up when I started 
out, an’ a mighty blind hunt it proved to be till the first 
camp was struck. That kinder livened me a bit ; but I 
couldn’t get onto the trail, an’ from then till Gus yelled 
I hadn’t any idea which way to go.”- 

“ How far do you suppose we are from Farley’s? ” 

“I reckon it’ll take smart walkin’ for the rest of 
this day, an’ the best part of to-morrow before we see 
the works. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ And the provisions I took from Tim and Gus are 
all gone.” 

“I’ve got enough for supper, if we don’t eat too 
hearty, and the balance of the time we can suck our 
thumbs.” 

“ Then we’d better make another start. It must be 
three o’clock.” 

‘ ‘ Do you know the straight cut ? ” 

“ I’m not even certain we’re heading right.” 

‘ ‘ By keeping on the high land we are bound to 
come out somewhere near Farley’s or Blacktown.” 

When the journey was continued Gus took good 
care to give his captors no trouble, for he understood 
that Joe would show but little mercy, if there was any 
attempt to cause delay. 

At a reasonably rapid pace the three marched until 
darkness forced a halt, and then the small amount of 
provisions Brace had brought was consumed without 
satisfying the hunger of either member of the party. 

Gus was tied between his captors, where he could 
stretch himself at full length, and the night passed 


AN UNI,OOKKD-FOR DENIAL 2ig 

quietly. There was no longer any fear Tim could 
effect a rescue, even though he might be near at hand, 
and Fred enjoyed a most refreshing rest. 

What all hoped would prove to be the last day’s 
journey was begun without breakfast, and the advance 
was by no means rapid. 

At ten o’clock Fred declared he could go no farther 
without a rest, and the party sought shelter from the 
sun under a wide spreading tree, where a view could 
be had of a depression in the land for some distance 
ahead. 

Joe and Fred were facing this open stretch, and had 
but just begun to discuss the subject which was ever 
uppermost in their minds — the coal vein — when a 
figure carrying a heavy burden emerged from the 
thicket on the lower side, evidently bent on ascending 
the mountain. 

“Now, what can that fellow be doing?” Joe asked, 
as he arose to his feet. “ It’s a boy, an’ we’d be in big 
luck if it should turn out to be that precious Tim.” 

“ But it isn’t ; he wears a cap, and this one has a 

hat. It looks something like Why it is! It’s 

Skip!” 

“Skip?” Joe repeated in amazement. “What’s 
he doin’ out here, an’ with such a load? ” 

‘ ‘ In order to answer that question I shall have to 
ask him,” and Fred shouted the boy’s name. 

Skip started as if alarmed at being summoned, and 
then, waving his hat in triumph, he came toward the 
party at his best pace. 

“ I knew I’d find you if I hunted long enough,” he 
exclaimed as he came within speaking distance, and 


220 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


added when he finally reached the tree and threw down 
the burden. “It’s mighty heavy, an’ I thought one 
spell yesterday I’d have to give up the job. Reckon 
you’re glad to get it, eh ? ’’ 

‘ ‘ What have you there ? ’ ’ 

“Grub, of course. When Joe didn’t turn up, an’ 
there was no sign of Fred, I figured that you’d both 
want somethin’ to eat, so took out my wages in what 
was handiest to eat. Mrs. Byram said I’d never find 
you, but it wouldn’t do any harm to try, so here we 
are. ’ ’ 

“ Did you spend your money to buy us food? ” Fred 
asked. 

“Why not? It’ll take a good deal more’n that to 
straighten things between us, an’ I’d like to get the 
’count squared some time.’’ 

“You’ve done it already. Skip. It was you who 
first put us on the track of the thieves, and now you’ve 
helped the cause along wonderfully, for it has been a 
good while since I had all I could eat.’’ 

“Well, fill yourself up right now. There’s no need 
to hurry, for you can’t get to Farley’s to-night, an’ 

Hello, Gus ! Got through with your trip so 

soon ? ’ ’ 

“You’ll wish I hadn’t before this thing is ended,’’ 
was the surly reply, and then the prisoner turned his 
back on the ex-chief of the regulators. 

Quite naturally Skip was eager to hear the result of 
the chase, and while Joe and Fred were eating they 
gave him the full particulars. 

‘ ‘ Do you know the way home ? ’ ’ Brace asked when 
the story was told. 


AN UNI.OOKED-FOR DENIAL 


221 


“ Of course. I’ve been out here half a dozen times. 
Was you calculatin’ to keep straight ahead? ” 

“Yes.” 

“Then you’d gone six miles the other side of Far- 
ley’s.” 

“ If that is the case, it’s lucky you found us. Let’s 
make another start ; now I’ve filled up it seems possible 
to travel without stopping again until we are at moth- 
er’s door.” 

With a guide and provisions in plenty, the long 
tramp yet to be endured seemed but a trifling affair, and 
the party, with the single exception of Gus, were in the 
best of spirits. 

The night was spent near a small water course in 
the valley, and at three o’clock all hands entered the 
company’s store at Farley’s. 

Both Mr. Wright and the cashier were in the build- 
ing, and they listened in undisguised astonishment as 
Joe told the story of the capture. 

“ Here is the money, except what they have spent,” 
Fred said when Joe concluded the recital, and he handed 
the package to the superintendent. 

An examination showed that but fifty-three dollars 
were missing, and then Mr. Wright turned to Gus, who 
was wearing a look of mingled indignation and inno- 
cence. 

“ How did you get this money from Thorpe?” 

“Who is he, sir?” 

“The boy who was bringing it from the bank.” 

“I never saw him.” 

“Then how did you get these notes?” 

“ I never had ’em sir.” 


222 


DOWN SI.OPE 


“ Why’ I took them out of his pocket,” Fred cried, 
in surprise. 

” Explain yourself,” Mr. Wright said to the prisoner. 

“ Me an’ Tim Sanger was goin’ to camp out on the 
mountains while work was slack,” Gus began with an 
air of truthfulness. ” We had a shanty built, an’ Tim 
went off fishin’ when this feller,” here he pointed to the 
astonished Fred, “jumped in on me. I’d seen him in 
Black town, so didn’t think anything was out of the way 
till he knocked me down.” 

“Why did he strike you?” 

“ That’s jest what I don’t know. He tied me all up 
like this, an’ I had to do as he said till we met Joe 
Brace. Then I heard one of ’em say to the other : 
‘ This will get Sam out of the scrape, for we can say 
Gus Dobson had the money what was stole, in his 
pocket.’ That’s all I know about it, an’ I never saw 
them bills till this very minute. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ It was a good scheme for Sam to give up the money 
in this way when he found the case was so dead against 
him,” the cashier said in a low tone, as if speaking to 
himself ; but he took care that Mr. Wright should hear 
distinctly. 

“ What do you mean?” Joe cried fiercely. 

“Nothing, nothing, I must have been' thinking 
aloud.” 

“You intended we should hear every word,” the 
miner added, excitedly. 

“Be quiet. Brace, while we get the facts of this 
strange story,” Mr. Wright said, sharply. 

“You have got the facts already sir. I told you be- 
fore I left town that this fellow was one of the thieves. ’ ’ 


AN UNI,OOKKD-FOR DKNIAR 


223 


“That doesn’t prove anything,” the cashier re- 
plied, with a malicious smile. 

“ I’ll prove more than that to you, if you dare show 
your nose out doors.” 

“ Either leave the office. Brace, or hold your tongue,” 
and now the superintendent spoke in an angry tone. 

“ Fred, what have you got to say in answer to this 
boy’s story?” 

“ Not a word, sir. What Joe has told you is true, 
and if it ain’t believed you can serve the warrant which 
was issued for me, as soon as you please.” 

“ He can’t say anything,” Gus added, triumphantly. 
“ If Tim was here he could tell you jest why we left 
Blacktown ; but, of course, he don’t know about the 
job this feller is tryin’ to put up on me.” 

“Where is Tim?” 

“ I dunno. He’ll likely come home when he can’t 
find me.” 

‘ ‘ Are you willing to stay here until he returns ? ’ ’ 

“ Sure ; there ain’t any reason why I’d want to run 
off, if you tell my folks where I am.” 

Joe could contain himself no longer. 

“Do you mean to put his word agin ours?” he 
cried fiercely. 

“ Why not ? ” the cashier asked, softly. “ It looks 
to me very much as if his having been brought here was 
an outrage. ’ ’ 

“If you speak to me agin I’ll spoil the whole of 
your face, you cur ! After arestin’ a boy for meetin’ 
with an accident in doin’ what you oughter done, an’ 
gettin’ out warrants for others what couldn’t have had 
a hand in the matter, it’s easy to see why you want to 


224 


DOWN the: sdope: 


believe this little villain’s story. When the truth is 
known you understand blessed well that the town will 
be too hot to hold you.” 

“That will do,” Mr. Wright cried, sternly. “I 
shall have no such language used here. Teave this 
moment, Brace, and when you are more calm we’ll dis- 
cuss the matter. ’ ’ 

Joe looked in silence first at the cashier, and then at 
the superintendent, after which he said to Fred and 
Skip : 

“ Come, lads, this is no place for us. We’ve saved 
the company’s money, an’ now are likely to be treated 
as we were for standin’ by ’em at the time of the riot.” 

With this reminder he walked out of the building 
followed by both the boys. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 

OPINIONS 

The: three who had entered the store in such high 
spirits left it in a maze of bewilderment and anger. 

That Gus could concoct so plausible a story was 
none the less astonishing than that Mr. Wright should 
give it credence, so far as to refrain from ordering the 
boy’s immediate arrest. 

Joe was so enraged that during the walk to Fred’s 
home he did nothing but inveigh in the strongest terms 
against the company, and more especially these two of 
its servants who had insulted both himself and Fred by 
refusing to believe their united statements. 


OPINIONS 


225 


“I’ll pound that cashier ’till he can’t say beans,” 
he cried, shaking his fist in impotent rage. 

“What good will that do? People won’t believe 
our story any quicker because of it.” 

“I’ll be satisfied, an’ that’s enough.” 

“ Don’t make such threats,” Fred said, imploringly. 
“ If he hears of them it will only give him a chance to 
make trouble for you.” 

“ I’ll not only make ’em ; but carry out every one. 
It won’t take much more talk to coax me into servin’ 
Wright the same way.” 

Several of the miner’s acquaintances hailed him as 
he passed ; but his heart was so full of anger that he 
paid not the slightest attention, and Fred felt a sense 
of most profound relief when they were inside the 
hoUvSe, where the wild threats could not be heard by 
those who might report them at the store. 

After the greetings with Mrs. Byram the travelers 
went to the chamber where Bill lay helpless, his frac- 
tured limb bound in splints and bandages. 

Here the different stories were told again, and the 
invalid’s astonishment was not less than that of his 
companions. 

“It don’t hardly seem reasonable,” he muttered, 
after a long pause. ‘ ‘ I reckon the best thing would be 
for you an’ Fred to see the lawyer right away. There’s 
no knowin’ what kind of a scrape may grow out of 
this.” 

“ It’ll do jest as well if we go in the mornin’ on the 
first train,” Joe replied. “After the tramp we’ve had 
it comes kinder natural to hanker for a bed. ’ ’ 


15 


226 


DOWN THB SDOPE 


“I s’ pose it would be tough ; but don’t waste any 
time to-morrow.” 

“Wright can’t do much between now an’ then, so 
rest easy, mate. They won’t be able to take the land 
from us, an’ in another year we’ll be among the big- 
bugs ourselves. ’ ’ 

“Are you sure the trade can’t be backed out of ? ” 

“ I’ve left everything with the lawyer, and he’ll fix 
matters about right.” 

Bill closed his eyes as if in thought ; Tred went 
-down stairs to talk with his mother, and Skip took his 
departure, Joe saying as he accompanied him to the 
door : 

“ We won’t forget what you’ve done, lad, an’ before 
long us four — that’s countin’ Sam — will be in condi- 
tion to pay off our scores. ’ ’ 

“I’ll have all I want when the fellers I buried in 
the mine promise to forget what’s been done.” 

‘ ‘ Then you can rest easy, for the matter was settled 
yesterday when you brought the grub.” 

After Skip left Joe went out to see his friends, and 
an hour later he returned in a perfect rage. 

‘ ‘ That villain of a cashier has taken good care to 
tell his side of the story, ’ ’ he exclaimed, bursting into 
the invalid’s room, “ an’ more’n half the men I’ve seen 
believe we got the money from Sam to stick the robbery 
on that thievin’ Gus. Mr. Wright has taken the boy 
up to his house, an’ is pettin’ him like a prince, I 
s’pose, to square off for what we did to him. Why, even 
Donovan says old man Dobson oughter prosecute us for 
the outrage, as he calls it.” 


OPINIONS 


227 


“ I can’t believe it ! ” Bill cried, trying in vain to 
rise to a sitting posture. 

“ I’m tellin’ the truth, all the same. There’s a big 
excitement in town, an’ I wouldn’t be surprised if Fred 
was arrested in the mornin’, spite of what he’s done.” 

“ Don’t the folks know what kind of a boy that Dob- 
son feller is ? ” 

‘ ‘ I reckon they do ; but the cashier keeps talkin’ 
about destroyin’ one feller’s character to help another, 
an’ the blind fools here swallow all he says; ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ What makes him so down on our crowd ? ’ ’ 

“ ’Cause he had no business to make the arrests, an’ 
if it was proved Gus an’ Tim stole it, he’d be in a bad 
mess with all hands.” 

“ Look here, Joe ” — and Bill spoke very earnestly 
— “it don’t make any difference how tired you an’ Fred 
are, you must go to Blacktown this very night. That 
lawyer will tell us jest what oughter be done, an’ we’ve 
got to fight this thing tooth an’ nail, now all hands are 
agin us.” 

Joe realized that this was good advice, and went at 
once to confer with Mrs. Byram and Fred. 

The result of this last interview was that an hour 
after midnight the miner and the boy left the house 
quietly, and walked at a rapid pace directly across the 
mountain. 

“This is pretty tough, lad,” Joe said, when they 
were some distance from the town. “ It seems as if I’d 
done nothin’ but tramp for the last month.” 

“ I won’t grumble if this matter is straightened out 
finally, but just now it looks as though all hands would 
have been better off to let things go as they might.” 


228 


DOWN THK SIvOPE 


“ Don’t get downhearted. When our mine is open 
you can afford to laugh at this little fracas.” 

Although Joe spoke so cheerily he was far from feel- 
ing comfortable in mind, as was apparent when they 
visited the lawyer’s house at a very early hour next 
morning. 

The mental anxiety could be plainly read on his face 
as he waited to receive the legal opinion after telling his 
story. 

” I don’t think you need fear any serious trouble, 
although matters may be very disagreeable for a while,” 
that gentleman said. ‘ ‘ It will be well for us to make 
complaint against the Dobson boy, and by causing his 
arrest be certain of having him here when he is wanted. 
I will attend to it at once. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ How much money do you want ? ’ ’ 

“We won’t speak of that now. When I do busi- 
ness for a firm as rich as yours, I am not afraid of los- 
ing my fees.” 

“ It would be hard to find any poorer concern.” 

“There’s where you make a mistake, Mr. Brace. 
Your title is clear ; an expert, whom I sent, reports 
that there can be no question as to the presence of coal 
in large quantities, and I shall be only too glad to pur- 
chase stock when the company is formed.” 

“ Do you mean the whole of that?” Joe asked, his 
eyes glistening with delight. 

“ To prove it I will advance on your joint note any 
reasonable amount of money which may be needed. In 
fact, I think it would be a good idea to give Mr. Wright 
a hint of your discovery, when I’m quite sure he’d 
view this whole affair in a different light. ’ ’ 


OPINIONS 


229 


“ We’ll keep the secret a while longer. I’d rather 
get out of the scrape before folks know what we’ve 
found, an’ then settle old scores. Now, Fred, s’pose 
we go to see Sam? ” 

“I’ll walk to the jail with you, and you can wait 
until I have despatched an officer to Farley’s for the 
Dobson boy.” 

The fact that Fawyer Hunter had come with the • 
visitors insured them every facility for seeing their 
friend, and the three met in the turnkey’s room with 
the knowledge that they might be together the entire 
day. 

Poor Sam looked forlorn, indeed, when he entered 
the apartment. It had been so long since his friend’s 
last visit that he fancied they were deserting him. 

His appearance changed decidedly when they ex- 
plained the reason for their absence, and two hours 
were spent in giving a detailed account of all that had 
happened since his departure from Farley’s. 

Then, forgetting the present troubles, the three 
talked of the day when they would be mine owners in- 
stead of laborers, and built so many air castles that 
neither heeded the passage of time until Mr. Hunter re- 
turned with the information that an officer had visited 
Farley’s only to find the superintendent looking anx- 
iously for Gus. 

“ It seems that Mr. Wright took the boy home last 
night, and, believing in his protestations of innocence 
despite your testimony, left him unguarded. As might 
have been expected, he took advantage of this credul- 
ity to make his escape, and now I fancy it will be many 
days before he re-visits this part of the country.” 


230 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“Then all we have done goes for nothing,” FrM 
said, mournfully. 

‘ ‘ In that you are very greatly mistaken. Thorpe 
will be acquitted beyond a doubt, and it is not likely 
Mr. Wright dare press any charge against you at pres- 
ent. I shall go with you to Farley’s, after Sam is re- 
leased on bail, and guarantee matters will be set right.” 

“Am I to go out? ” Sam asked in surprise. 

“As soon as it can be arranged. Your friends are 
to accompany me, and the matter can be accomplished 
very quickly.” 

Fred was amazed at the ease with which all this 
was done. He and Joe went before a magistrate, and 
repeated under oath the story they had told so often ; 
two friends of Mr. Hunter’s signed a paper to which 
the other’s names had already been affixed, and, ten 
minutes later, Sam was with them, looking radiantly 
happy at being in the open air once more. 

It was too late to return home, unless Joe and Fred 
were willing to take another tramp across the mountain, 
and all three went to the hotel, where they formed a 
very jolly party. 

On the first train next morning the partners, accom- 
panied by Mr. Hunter, arrived at Farley’s, and found 
public sentiment greatly changed. The flight of Gus 
had caused very many to believe he really was the 
guilty party, although no one could guess how he 
gained possession of the money, and the walk to Mrs. 
Byram’s was something like an ovation. 


A QUKSTION OF TITI.B 


231 


CHAPTER XXIX 

A QUKSTION OF TITUK « 

It was as if each person who had doubted Sam’s 
honesty felt it necessary to call at Mrs. Byram’s and 
congratulate him upon what now appeared to be good 
proof of his innocence. 

Fred and the miners also came in for their share of 
attention, and even Bill, whose limb was paining him 
severely, joined his partners in celebrating their victory, 
which now seemed certain. 

Before returning home Mr. Hunter called to consult 
with his clients relative to making a stock company of 
the new mine, and, when he left, it was with full au- 
thority to do whatever he believed their interests de- 
manded. 

Among the visitors in the evening was Donovan, 
and he had no hesitation in calling himself very severe 
names for having been so stupid as to think it possible 
his old friends could have been engaged in any ques- 
tionable transaction. 

‘ ‘ The cashier is about as sore a man as can be found 
in town,” he said, “an’ if I ain’t way off in my reck- 
onin’ he’ll be lookin’ for another job mighty soon.” 

“ Does he say anything against us?” Bill asked. 

“He’s glum as a fish. Every feller who goes in 
wants to know where Gus is, an’ he keeps out of sight 
all that’s possible.” 

“ Have you seen Mr. Wright to-day?” 

' “ No ; but I heard he an’ that lawyer of yours had 

a long chin about the business. Say, Bill, by the time 


232 


DOWN THE SEOPK 


you get out of this scrape you’ll owe a pretty penny for 
law, I reckon. Why don’t you try to make the com- 
pany pay it?” 

“We can stand the racket, an’ won’t ask a soul to 
help us.” 

‘ ‘ Somebody must have died an’ left you a pile, for 
men that work at Farley’s don’t often have enough to 
pay big lawyers for runnin’ around.” 

“It’ll be all right, Donovan, so don’t worry about 
that.” 

But the mine boss did worry. He failed to under- 
stand how Bill and Joe could incur such expense with 
any prospect of paying it, and when he left the house it 
was to discuss the matter in all it’s bearings with a se- 
lect few of his particular friends. 

The superintendent did not consider it worth his 
while to call ; but on the following morning Joe received 
a note to the effect that if he intended to return to the 
mine, it would be to his advantage to resume his work 
at once. 

“Tell Mr. Wright that I’ve got through with 
his company, an’ he can put a man in my place 
whenever it suits him,” the miner said to the mes- 
senger, and the latter had hardly reached the store 
before a workman from Blacktown arrived with the 
startling intelligence that the four who had been 
accused of the robbery had purchased a large tract 
of land on the mountain, and were about to open a 
mine. 

This news was so w^onderful that one of the loungers 
volunteered to walk to the town for the sole and only 
purpose of learning if it was really true. 


A question of titue 


233 


An hour later it was rumored that Fred received the 
following telegram from Blacktown : 

“Have opened books for subscriptions, and already received 
pledges to the full amount necessary for beginning the work. 

Arthur Hunter.” 

The lounger returned in hot haste with information 
that the people there were in the highest state of excite- 
ment regarding the new company which was being 
formed by some of the most influential men in the 
county, and related with many embellishments of his 
own, the story of how the vein had been discovered by 
Sam and Fred. 

This was sufficient to cause another stream of call- 
ers to Mrs. Byram’s house, and, learning that the se- 
cret had been made known, the four owners had no 
hesitation in giving dll the particulars. 

Now the cashier was more unpopular than ever. 
Even those who • refrained from censuring him on the 
day previous, had nothing but hard words for the man 
who could make such an error as to charge with theft 
those who were wealthy in the possession of such a rich 
vein as the new one was reported to be. 

Fully one-third of all those in the company’s works 
took a half holiday to see the new mine, and some of 
the most sanguine started out to prospect for other evi- 
dences of coal. 

In six hours land in the immediate vicinity of the 
mountain increased in price, until it would hardly have 
paid to buy it, unless gold could be found in large 
quantities, and the entire county was in a ferment of 
excitement. 

It is needless to say that the four partners were very 


234 


DOWN TH^ SDOPK 


happy ; but even in the midst of the great joy they 
found time to wonder why Skip had not called to con- 
gratulate them. 

Nearly every other one of their friends and ac- 
quaintances visited the house at some time during the 
day and evening ; but the ex-chief of the regulators was 
conspicuous by his absence. 

“‘I wonder what the matter is with him?” Fred 
asked, when, at a late hour, the partners were alone. 
“ Do you suppose he thinks we don’t want to see him 
just because we have been fortunate?” 

” If he does it’s the biggest mistake of his life. I 
like the little rascal, although he did play us a bad 
trick, an’ if he don’t show up before noon to-morrow, 
I’ll hunt him out,” Joe said, laughingly. 

But Skip did not put in an appearance before the 
time set, and, true to his word, Joe went in search of 
him. 

The information he brought back to his partners 
was mystifying. 

Skip had not been at home since the day on which 
Sam was liberated, and his father fancied he was ab- 
sent on some work for the firm. 

This singular disappearance troubled Fred greatly, 
and during the remainder of the day he spoke more 
often of the boy than regarding the mine. 

” He’ll turn up before long,” Joe said, after all had 
tried in vain to conjecture where he might be ; but Fred 
fancied that the miner did not speak very confidently. 

Nothing was heard personally from Mr. Wright ; 
but it was common gossip about town that he had vis- 
ited the newly-discovered vein several times, and spent 
one entire day at Blacktown. 


A QUESTION OF TITLE 


235 


Another twenty-four hours passed, and Skip had 
not returned home. His parents were now beginning 
to feel alarmed ; but the majority of the townspeople, 
not trusting in the sincerity of his repentance, inti- 
mated that he had joined Gus, preferring to run away 
rather than lead an industrious life. 

“ I won’t believe anything of the kind,” Fred re- 
plied, hotly, when Donovan reported the general feeling 
regarding the disappearance. ‘ ‘ He never would have 
done so much to help us, unless meaning exactly what 
he said.” 

“I reckon hard work didn’t agree with him,” the 
breaker boss answered, with a laugh. 

“When Bill gets a little better Joe and I will go 
after him.” 

“Where?” 

“ I don’t know ; but it won’t do any harm to look 
around, and I am ’ ’ 

Fred was interrupted by a knock at the door, and 
on answering it was handed a telegram. 

‘ ‘ Somebody is beggin’ to be let in to the new com- 
pany, I reckon,” Donovan said, laughingly; but his 
smile vanished very quickly as he saw the look which 
came over the boy’s face. 

“What’s the matter, lad?” Joe cried, and instead 
of replying Fred handed him the telegram, which read 
as follows : 

“Mr. Fred Byram: — Superintendent Wright has served 
an injunction restraining our company from taking further steps, 
on the plea that the land purchased belongs to him. His case, 
so far as I can learn, is very strong. It is advisable that you and 
Brace come here at once. “ “ Arthur HunTER. ’ ’ 


236 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


“ Wha — wha — what does it mean?” Joe stam- 
mered. 

‘ ‘ I should say things were gettin’ serious, ’ ’ Don- 
ovan replied, as he read the message over Joe’s shoul- 
der, “Mr. Wright is a hard man to fight, an’ the 
chances are he’ll get the best of you.” 

Then he left the house as if in great haste to spread 
this additional news, and the partners looked at each 
other in dismay. 

“ That is why we’ve heard nothin’ from the super- 
intendent since our secret leaked out,” Bill said, 
grimly. “You two had better tramp across to save 
time. You can get there three hours ahead of the next 
train.” 

“Come on,” Fred cried, as he aroused from the 
daze caused by the startling intelligence. “ Tet’s learn 
the worst quickly.” 

“It’s pretty tough to lose the thing after swellin’ 
as we have for the last couple of days,” Joe added, 
gloomily, but without rising from his seat. 

“Don’t whine ’till we’re sure it’s gone,” and Bill 
tried very hard to speak cheerily. 

At this point Mrs. By ram entered the invalid’s room 
to say : 

“Mr. Wright has sent over to ask Fred and Mr. 
Brace to call at his ofiice. ’ ’ 

“Matters are beginning to look brighter already,” 
Bill cried, and Joe asked gruffiy : 

‘ ‘ How do you make that out ? ’ ’ 

“ If he was so sure of provin’ we had no claim to the 
land, he wouldn’t have a word to say. Now he’s tryin’ 
to make a trade. ’ ’ 


A SUIT AT TAW 


237 


“ He can’t with me. Unless you, Fred an’ Sam in- 
sist, it’ll be the whole or nothing.” 

“Now that’s the way to talk,” Bill replied. “If 
we can raise the money to fight there won’t be any bar- 
gain made.” 

‘ ‘ Don’ t you intend to call upon the superintend- 
ent ? ’ ’ Mrs. Byram asked. 

“Not a bit of it, ma’am. Tell whoever he sends 
that Fred an’ Joe are too busy just now, but if he wants 
to make a ’pointment some time next week, they’ll try 
to see him.” 

“But it can’t do any harm to talk with Mr. 
Wright.” 

“It won’t do any good, an’ they’d better see the 
lawyer first.” 

Mrs. Byram left the room to deliver the message, 
and Bill delayed his partners that they might know ex- 
actly how he felt regarding the matter before starting 
on the journey. 


CHAPTER XXX 

A SUIT AT UAW 

“Don’t give in an inch,” Bill said, in conclusion to 
his remarks concerning the validity of the title. ‘ ‘ Get 
over there as quick as you can, and don’t let the lawyer 
weaken.” 

“ It’ll take big money to carry on a fight in law.” 

“We’ll try to raise it somehow.” 

After promising to send him word as to the progress 
of affairs before night, in case they were detained more 


238 


DOWN THE SLOPE 


than one day, Joe and Fred went down stairs, and at 
that moment Mrs. Byram opened the door to admit Mr. 
Wright. 

He was particularly pleasant in his greetings, and 
asked, as he observed that they were on the point of 
going out : 

‘ ‘ Did you finally conclude to come to the ofifice ? ’ ’ 

“We were on our way to Blacktown,” Joe replied 
gruffly. 

‘ ‘ But we have plenty of time for a chat, since the 
train does not leave for two hours or more. ’ ’ 

“We are going to walk,” Fred explained. 

‘ ‘ Then you can surely spare me half an hour. ’ ’ 

“ What for? ” Joe asked sharply. 

“ I wish to see if we can’t arrive at some amicable 
settlement of the suit which I have been forced to 
bring. ’ ’ 

“Wouldn’t it been better to have talked first, an’ 
then begun the law business? ” 

‘ ‘ In regard to that I had no alternative. The com- 
pany ordered me to proceed exactly as I did.” 

“ I’d like to hear what’s goin’ on down there,” Bill 
shouted from above, and Fred said : 

“ It’s no more than fair that we should go up stairs. 
He’s got the right to know what Mr. Wright proposes.” 

“Yes, I prefer to speak with all the partners, 
though perhaps there is no necessity of sending for 
Thorpe.” 

“ We haven’t got the time to do that,” Joe replied. 
“ Come on, an’ let’s get through with the business as 
soon as we can, for we’re due in Blacktown mighty 
soon.” 


A SUIT AT UAW 


239 


The miner led the way to the invalid’s chamber, and 
Bill greeted his former superintendent with the curtest 
of nods. 

‘ ‘ I have come in the hope that we can arrange mat- 
ters without having recourse to the law,” Mr. Wright 
began. “If, immediately after discovering the vein, 
you had advised me, I could have told you that our 
company owns the entire mountain, by purchase from 
the heirs of the original owner.” 

“But Mr. Hunter told us the title was perfect,” 
Fred interrupted. 

“Lawyers cannot always be depended upon. There 
is no question as to the truth of what I say, and here is 
a true copy of our deed.” 

He handed Bill a legal looking document ; but the 
miner motioned it away. 

“I don’t want to see it,” he said. “Neither of us 
could understand it in a week’s study. The only thing 
for us to do is listen to what you propose.” 

‘ ‘ In view of the services you all have rendered in 
the past, I should be sorry to see you lose the money 
already paid on this property, and more so to have you 
involved in an expensive lawsuit. Now I am empow- 
ered to make this offer : The company will return the 
money paid, settle with your attorney, and allow you a 
reasonable compensation for the labor performed. In 
addition, it may be that we can give you a few shares 
in case it is decided to open new works. ’ ’ 

As Mr. Wright paused Bill raised his head, and 
looking fixedly at the visitor, asked : 

“ If the property is yours beyond a question, what 
makes you offer to give us anything ? ’ ’ 


240 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


‘ ‘ Because you have acted in such a friendly manner 
toward us. I am not one who forgets a friend. ’ ’ 

“You came mighty near doin’ so when Sam was 
arrested, an’ warrants sworn out for Fred an’ me.” 

‘ ‘ That was a matter in which it was to your interest 
that the law should take its course. A large majority 
of the people believed you knew something about the 
robbery, and the only way to settle it absolutely was to 
have the case decided in court.” 

“ Then we ought to thank you, I s’pose,” and Bill 
leaned forward, despite the pain caused by the move- 
ment. “ If w^e conclude to take the offer we’ll let you 
know to-morrow.” 

‘ ‘ I am sorry to say that we can agree to no delay. 
If the terms are accepted at once, well and good ; but 
they will not be held open for a lawyer to interfere. ” 

“ Then 111 speak for myself, an’ say no,” Bill cried, 
angrily. “The others can act as they please; but if 
all this is to be done jest on account of your friendship, 
then where’s the harm of waitin’ till next week, if we 
want to?” 

‘ ‘ I have only repeated the stipulations made by the 
company.” 

“Well, we don’t want anything to do with ’em,” 
Joe added. “What Bill says goes with me, an’ I 
reckon Fred ’ll stick by us.” 

“I believe as they do, Mr. Wright.” 

“ Then you refuse the generous proposition ? ” 

“ We do; but have our own idea as to how generous 
it is,” Bill replied, grimly. 

‘ ‘ Do you think it will be possible to fight success- 
fully a company as rich as ours? ” 


A SUIT AT taw 


24 


“We’ll try it for a while, anyhow, an’ won’t give 
in till we’re whipped.” 

“ I don’t like to make any threats ; but feel it my 
duty to warn 3^ou of the consequences, if we press the 
charge of theft. The evidence is strongly against you, 
and more particularly so since you returned the 
money.” 

“ I reckon that about winds up this ’ere interview,” 
and Joe arose to his feet with a menacing air. “Go 
ahead with the suit ; but there’s such a thing as col- 
lectin’ damages, an’, rich as your company is, I don’t 
believe they can get out of pa^dn’ ’em.” 

“That is child’s talk. If you refuse what is little 
less than a present, I will go.” 

“An’ it’s pretty nigh time,” Joe added, as he 
opened the door. “Don’t try to make us any more 
such presents, or we may not keep our temper. ’ ’ 

It could be plainly told that the superintendent had 
already lost his temper, for he went down stairs rapidly, 
slamming the street door behind him with a force 
which literally caused the cottage to tremble. 

“ He ain’t so sure of his case, as he would have us 
believe,” Bill said, when they were alone. “It’s jest 
possible he may try to make things hotter for us by 
servin’ the warrant on Fred, so you’d better not come 
back from Black town, till the widder sends word. Get 
over as quick as you can, an’ don’t forget to tell the 
lawyer about the generous proposition.” 

The two started without further delay, and the 
reception met with by those whom they passed on 
the street told how rapidly the bad news had trav- 
elled. 

16 


242 


DOWN THE SEOPK 


On the day previous every person was very cordial, 
as if trying to establish his or her position as friend ; 
but now they were greeted even less pleasantly than 
before the riot, and Joe said, savagely: 

“They’re a set of curs. I did believe some of the 
things we heard yesterday ; but now soft words won’t 
go down with me, no matter how the property turns 
out.” 

“ It can’t make any difference what is done or said, 
all I ask is that we get Sam out of his troubles. ’ ’ 

“You an’ me are about as deep in the mire as he is 
if the case goes agin us. We’ll try not to borrer 
trouble till there’s better reason. Where do you s’pose 
Skip is keepin’ himself all this time? ” 

‘ ‘ I wish I knew. Nobody can make me believe he 
went off with Gus.” 

“He’s got a different game than that, an’ I’m 
thinkin’ we’ll hear from him mighty soon.’’ 

“Why?” 

“ No partic’lar reason, I only jest think so.” 

Having changed the topic of conversation, which 
was the sole cause of his mentioning Skip’s name, Joe 
relapsed into a silence which was not broken until the 
two arrived at the newly-discovered vein. 

Here a party of surveyors were running imaginary 
lines and measuring distances, as they referred from 
time to time to several formidable looking documents, 
and Joe said, bitterly: 

“ Wright is gettin’ ready for the fight. If we had 
plenty of money I wouldn’t feel so bad ; but unless the 
lawyer can borrow some for us, we’re likely to come 
out the little end of the horn.” 


A SUIT AT TAW 


243 


“ We shall soon know all about it,” and Fred con- 
tinued the journey at a swift pace. 

Mr. Hunter was in his office when the partners ar- 
rived, and the expression on his face was not such as to 
inspire courage. 

“ I didn’t expect you so soon,” he said, motioning 
them to be seated. 

“ We walked over rather than wait for the cars,” 
Fred replied. 

‘ ‘ I was sorry to summon you on such sorry business, 
but Superintendent Wright has begun a fight for the 
possession of the land, and some of our prospective 
stockholders are alarmed by the attack.” 

‘ ‘ Has he really got any hold on the property ? ’ ’ 

“He claims that the company’s deeds give them 
title to the entire mountain.” 

‘ ‘ Then how did it happen that the farmer could 
sell?” 

‘ ‘ It all hinges upon the question of survey. If 
the lines run twenty years ago are incorrect, as he 
claims, then the land you bought is located in the 
valley, and in that event not worth half you paid 
for it.” 

“ What does the farmer say? ” Joe asked. 

‘ ‘ I fancy Mr. Wright has bribed him to forget 
where his property was. Two days ago he had a very 
clear idea of the location, but this morning he thinks 
Mr. Wright is correct. In fact, he is almost ready to 
swear he owned land only in the valley. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ He told me exactly where it was situated, an’ we 
bought with the positive understandin’ that he was sell- 
in’ a tract on the mountain,” Joe said. 


244 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


‘ ‘ That is one of the questions I wanted to decide. 
If he made those representations, we may force him to 
tell the truth rather than stand a suit for obtaining 
money under false representations.” 

Fred thought it was time to tell of Mr. Wright’s 
proposition, and when he had finished the story the 
lawyer said with a look of positive relief : 

“I’m glad to hear that. We will force them to 
show their hands by asking an immediate trial for 
Thorpe.” 

“But suppose he should be convicted?” Fred 
cried. ‘ ‘ Skip is not at home, and we need his evi- 
dence. ’ ’ 

“We must take that risk, rather than allow them 
time to work up a worse plot.” 


CHAPTER XXXI 

SKIP 

It seemed to Fred as if they were about to sacrifice 
Sam in order to aid in confirming the title of the land, 
and it required no slight amount of Mr. Hunter’s elo- 
quence to persuade him differently. 

‘ ‘ By pressing for trial we have a better chance of 
proving his innocence. Under ordinary circumstances 
I would be certain of the result ; but where so much 
property is at stake I do not like to trust the superin- 
tendent too implicitly.” 

“ But what effect can his innocence or guilt have on 
the other question ? ’ ’ 


SKIP 


245 

“It might prejudice our case if he went before a 
jury. Every point must be guarded against, and this 
is the first to be settled. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Can we raise money enough to carry the thing 
through? ” Joe asked. 

‘ ‘ I think so ; but will tell you better to-morrow after 
I have had time to see some of the subscribers with 
whom I have not yet spoken.” 

” Do you think we’ve got any chance of winning? ” 

‘ ‘ I wish it were possible to say yes ; but under the 
circumstances it seems to me that the odds are in the 
favor of the company represented by Mr. Wright.” 

” Yet you don’t advise us to accept his proposition,” 
Fred said. 

” Certainly not. Even if I was in favor of making 
a compromise, the amount offered would be no tempta- 
tion. I should advise you to refuse ten thousand 
dollars, for it will cost the company much more than 
that if we can raise sufficient to carry on the suit.” 

” Is there anything for us to do? ” Fred asked. 

“Very much. It is necessary to remain here, and 
send for Thorpe. I will first attend to pressing for 
trial, and then have an interview with the farmer for 
the purpose of frightening him into telling nothing but 
the truth. I fancy w^e can restore his memory by 
threatening him with a criminal suit. ’ ’ 

“I’ll run over for Sam,” Joe said, as if a walk of 
five miles across the mountain was nothing more than a 
pleasure trip. 

“ It won’t do for you to come,” he added, as Fred 
was about to speak, “ because I’m afraid Wright might 
use that warrant.” 


246 


DOWN THE SI.OPK 


“Yes, it is much better you should remain here,” 
Mr. Hunter said quickly. “Isn’t it possible to find 
the boy who first suggested Dobson was the thief ? ’ ’ 

“I’m afraid not ; it looks very much as if he’d run 
away. ’ ’ 

“ It won’t do any harm to walk around town while 
I’m gone,” Joe suggested. You may come across 
some feller who has seen him. ’ ’ 

“I shall expect to meet all three this afternoon,” 
the lawyer said, as his clients rose to go. 

‘ ‘ Do not talk with any one regarding either case, 
and, above all, make no promises without first consult- 
ing me.” 

Joe and Fred left the office, the former saying when 
they were out of doors : 

“ Keep a stiff upper lip, lad, an’ if the company gets 
the best of us, remember that Farley’s isn’t the only 
colliery in the middle field. When Bill is on his pins 
again we can pull up stakes an’ look for another job.” 

‘ ‘ I am worrying about Sam rather than ourselves. 
It would be terrible if he was convicted of a crime 
he never committed.” 

“ Better that than to be guilty; but we won’t look at 
it in such a bad light yet awhile. I’m off now ; when 
it’s time for me to be back, hang around the hotel.” 

Then Joe started at a brisk pace, and with a heavy 
heart Fred walked aimlessly through the town. 

The idea that by so doing he might learn something 
regarding Skip seemed preposterous, and he hardly gave 
it a thought after Joe made the suggestion, therefore he 
was startled by hearing a familiar voice crying : 

“ Hi ! Fred ! Hold on a minute !” 


SKIP 


247 


Turning quickly he saw Skip coming toward him at 
full speed, and looking as if he had been on a long, 
rough journey. 

“ Where have you been ?” he asked, in surprise. 

“ Tryin’ to find that feller Tim.” 

‘ ‘ Tim ? What did you want of him ?’ ’ 

“ Nothin’; but I thought you might. When things 
turned out at Farley’s as they did it seemed to me 
that by gettin’ hold of him the truth would come 
out.” 

“ Have you been at that work all this time?” 

“Yes.” 

“ Of course you couldn’t find him.” 

“Of course I could, an’ if you want him I’ll go 
straight to where he’s hiding.” 

Fred looked at his friend in astonishment for an in- 
stant, and he cried : 

“Come to the lawyer’s with me this minute. You’re 
the very fellow he’s been wanting to see.” 

Five minutes later the two were closeted with Mr. 
Hunter, who appeared very well pleased with the news 
brought by Skip. 

“ How did you chance to find the boy?” he asked. 

“ It was a good deal like luck. Fred told about he 
an’ Gus campin’ by the river, an’ I snooped up that 
way. A lot of us fellers stayed a week in the same place, 
so it was handy to get around. It was two days before 
I saw any signs of him, an’ then I come mighty nigh 
tumblin’ over his camp.” 

“How long since you left him ?” 

“ Yesterday noon.” 

“ Have you been traveling all this time?” 


248 


DOWN THK SLOPE 


“ Pretty much ; but it don’t make any difference if 
you want to send after him.” 

‘ ‘ That is exactly what I want to do, and as soon, as 
possible. ’ ’ 

” I’m ready now,” and Skip started toward the door. 

” I didn’t mean quite as soon as this. Go for some- 
thing to eat, while I make the necessary arrangements. 
Come back here when you’ve had dinner.” 

“It’ll be two or three dinners in one,” Skip muttered, 
as he followed Fred down stairs. 

“ Didn’t you take any provisions? ” 

‘ ‘ Some ; but not enough to last a great while. It 
don’t make any difference, though, so long as I found 
Tim.” 

Skip was not so excited but that he could eat a 
hearty meal, and when it was finished the two boys re- 
turned to Mr. Hunter’s office just as that gentleman 
entered, accompanied by a constable. 

The official questioned Skip very minutely as to 
Tim’s whereabouts, and when the boy had explained 
the situation to the best of his ability, the former 
said : 

“I reckon we won’t have to walk all the way. By 
riding up the valley road eight or ten miles it is possi- 
ble to cut off a good bit of the distance. ’ ’ 

“Very well, adopt any method which will insure 
your return to-morrow noon, for the trial is to come off 
at twelve o’clock. Go with him. Skip, and see to it 
that there is no loitering by the way.” 

“Are you intending to hire a team ? ” Fred asked 
the constable. 

“Yes.” 


SKIP 


249 


"‘Then I’ll go with you to the stables.” 

The constable walked rapidly ahead leaving the boys 
to follow more leisurely, and Fred had time for a brief 
conversation. 

“You’ve been a good friend, Skip, and none of us 
will ever forget what you’ve done.” 

“I don’t want you to remember what happened 
while I was boss of the regulators. ’ ’ 

“We never think of it. Now do you believe it is 
possible to go to the camp and back by noon ? ’ ’ 

“ It’ll be a tight squeeze, even allowin’ that we ride 
a good part of the way ; but we’ll pull through some- 
how.” 

‘ ‘ Then if Tim has run off, all your work will have 
been for nothing. ’ ’ 

“ It can’t be helped if things turn that way ; but I 
think he^s too much frightened by the disappearance 
of Gus to leave a good hiding-place. ’ ’ 

At this moment the officer emerged from the stable 
in an open wagon drawn by a powerful-looking horse, 
and Skip shouted, as he clambered in : 

“ We’ll be back by noon.” 

Then the two were whirled rapidly away, and Fred 
walked slowly to Mr. Hunter’s office depressed by a 
sense of impending evil. 

The lawyer was absent, and, not caring to stroll 
around the town where he might meet acquaintances 
from Farley’s, the boy remained alone until late in the 
afternoon, when Joe and Sam arrived. 

“The trial is to come off to-morrow,” he cried, 
mentioning first that subject which was nearest his 
heart. 


250 


DOWN THK SIvOPK 


“And you couldn’t find Skip,” Joe added, mourn- 
fully ; but his face lighted up wonderfully on being told 
of what had occurred during his absence. 

“We’ll come out of the scrape all right, if one of 
the young scoundrels can be produced, so you an’ Sam 
may as well look cheerful. ’ ’ 

“Is there anything new at Farley’s?” Fred asked. 

“Wright is goin’ around like a bear with a sore 
head; but I didn’t hear anything about his servin’ the 
warrant on you. I reckon neither him nor that blessed 
cashier fancy havin’ the trial come off so soon. ’ ’ 

“How is Bill?” 

‘ ‘ Chipper as a chicken. Your mother has sent some 
clean clothes, an’ we’d better mosey over to the hotel 
to make ourselves comfortable like.” 

Before any objection could be offered to this plan 
Mr. Hunter entered ; but he did not delay the partners 
very long. After asking a few questions and jotting 
down the answers, he dismissed them with the caution 
to be at the office by eleven o’clock next morning. 

During the evening Joe tried very hard to appear 
jolly and perfectly at ease ; but the boys could not 
simulate cheerfulness, and the hours passed wearily 
despite their companions’ efforts. 

At an early hour Fred and Sam were on the road 
down which Skip had driven, waiting for his return; 
but when the appointed time for them to go to Mr. 
Hunter’s office arrived, they had watched in vain. 

Now the suspense was positively painful. The 
lawyer exhibited the utmost impatience, because the 
constable did not come, while his clients were on the 
verge of despair. 


SKIP 


251 


At half-past eleven when the train from Farley’s ar- 
rived, the boys saw Mr. Wright and the cashier pass on 
their way to the court-room, and a few moments later 
Mr. Hunter said : 

“We can’t wait any longer. Very likely Tim had 
left his hiding-place when the officer got there, and the 
latter is so foolish as to try to find him. I should 
have warned them that Skip must return at all haz- 
ards, for by sending him away we lose a most impor- 
tant witness. ’ ’ 

The boys arose to their feet in silence, and Joe was 
positively despondent in the face of what seemed very 
like defeat. 

On arriving at the court the partners were given 
seats within the enclosure reserved for attorneys, and 
very near the superintendent ; but he paid no attention 
to them. 

The cashier glared fiercely at Sam for an instant, 
and then turned to look steadily in another direction. 

The court was occupied with another case, and in 
answer to Sam’s question Mr. Hunter said that his 
trial would not begin until it was finished. 

“ If it’ll hold on ’till to-morrow so’s to give Skip a 
fair chance of gettin’ here. I’ll be willin’ to sit in this 
chair all night,” Joe whispered to Fred. 

“It can’t be delayed very long, or Mr. Hunter 
would tell us, ’ ’ was the mournful reply. 

“S’ pose I slip out an’ watch for him? He won’t 
know where to come if there’s nobody in the office.” 

This Fred thought was a very good idea, and he 
suggested it to the lawyer, who said : 

‘ ‘ The constable knows that he is needed here. 


252 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


therefore they will put in an appearance immediately 
after arriving.” 

Five minutes later Sam was called upon to plead, 
and he answered firmly : 

‘ ‘ Not guilty. ’ ’ 

Then the cashier was summoned to the stand, and 
told his story correctly, except as to the latter portion, 
when he said that Fred appeared very nervous during 
the time his friend was absent. He also declared that 
the two boys made mysterious signs to each other, and 
in a variety of ways appeared guilty. 

The teller of the bank, Mr. Wright, the constable 
who made the arrest, and one or two others gave evi- 
dence, and when the prosecution closed matters looked 
very black for the prisoner. 

Then Sam himself was called to the stand, and for 
half an hour underwent a most searching examination. 
He described very minutely the journey to Black town ; 
related every particular connected with his receiving the 
money, and explained why he chose to walk home, 
when, by waiting a short time, it would have been pos- 
sible to ride on the cars. 

That he had the money two or three moments before 
reaching the newly-discovered vein he was very posi- 
tive. He had not intended to go to sleep when he laid 
down to rest. On awakening it was several moments 
before the loss was discovered, and then he searched in 
every direction. 

Over and over again he told what is already known, 
and when the testimony was finished, it could be seen 
from the faces of those around, that the story was not 
generally believed. 


ACQUITTKD 


253 


Then Fred was called upon to tell of the chase and 
capture, after which Joe took the stand. 

Had Skip been there the prisoner’s case would have 
been strengthened just so much ; but he yet remained 
absent, and even Mr. Hunter looked disheartened. 

The miner was kept on the stand as long as possible, 
in the hope the missing one might come, and then the 
defense had been exhausted. 

Unless Skip appeared within a few seconds Sam 
would be deprived of his liberty. 


CHAPTER XXXH 

ACQUITTED 

If Skip had been an actor in a pantomime, and re- 
hearsed the scene every day for a week, he could not 
have arrived more precisely, than when he made his 
appearance at the very moment Mr. Hunter was about 
to declare the defense closed. 

Sam and Fred sprang to their feet as he entered the 
door, and Joe actually shouted, so great was his joy and 
relief ; but he was speedily made to understand by 
the officers that another breach of decorum as flag- 
rant would result in his expulsion from the court- 
room. 

Following Skip came the constable leading Tim, 
who looked frightened and pale. Mr. Hunter at once 
called the prisoner to the witness stand. 

Not knowing that Gus had denied having seen the 
money, Tim soon said enough to convict himself, and 


254 


DOWN THE SDOPE 


in a few moments was ready to confess his share in the 
matter. 

“I didn’t take it,” he said, whiningly. “ Gus 
showed me the money here in town an’ told as how he’d 
sneaked it out of the pocket of a feller what he found 
asleep on the mountain. He agreed that I could have 
half if I’d go off somewhere with him.” 

“Where is he now?” Mr. Hunter asked. 

“I don’t know. When I went for some grub he 
was watchin’ Fred By ram what we caught followin’ 
us.” 

‘ ‘ What had been done with the money ? ’ ’ 

“ He had all that was left but ten dollars, an’ I was 
goin’ to spend that.” 

“ What had Fred By ram done to you ? ” 

“Tried to get the stuff, so’s his chum w^ouldn’t be 
sent to jail.” 

‘ ‘ How did he know you had the bills ? ’ ’ 

“That’s what puzzles me, ’less Gus give himself 
away to Skip Miller. ’ ’ 

“Have you seen your friend since you left him to 
go in search of provisions ? ’ ’ 

“ If I had he’d been used up pretty bad for runnin’ 
off with the cash after coaxin’ me to leave town with 
him.” 

Yery little more in the way of evidence was needed, 
and in a short time Sam was told by the judge that 
there was nothing to show he was at fault in the matter, 
except so far as being careless in lying down to sleep, 
while having such an amount of money in his pocket. 

With this slight reprimand he was discharged from 
custody, and Tim sent to jail. 


ACQUITTED 


255 


When the partners were in the street once more Joe 
found it almost impossible to keep his joy within 
bounds. He acted in the most extravagant manner 
until Fred reminded him that the people might think 
he was intoxicated. 

“ We’ll telegraph to Bill, anyhow,” he cried, and 
straightway the following message was sent : 

“ WinriAM Thomas, Farley’s, Pa. : 

“Skip Miller has fixed everything. Sam is free. Hurrah 
for Skip. Joe.” 

“There,” he said, after writing the telegram, a task 
of no mean magnitude for him, “that puts the credit 
jest where it belongs. I ain’t sayin’ the lawyer didn’t 
do his share ; but he’d been snowed under if Tim hadn’t 
been brought in the nick of time. ” 

Skip was radiant with delight, as he had every rea- 
son to be, since now he felt certain his past misdeeds 
were atoned for, and the partners repeated over and 
over again that they owed him a debt which could 
never be repaid. 

Mr. Hunter insisted that the owners of the mine 
should remain in Blacktown until he learned whether 
sufficient money could be raised with which to defend 
the suit brought against them ; but Joe was bent on go- 
ing to the depot for the purpose of witnessing Mr. 
Wright’s departure. 

‘ ‘ I want to see how he an’ and his precious cashier 
look after failin’ in convictin’ an innocent boy of steal- 
in’ what never oughter been put in his charge.” 

Fred did not care to indulge in such questionable 
triumph ; but the miner was so persistent that he could 


256 


DOWN THB SDOPK 


not well refuse, and the three stood on the platform 
when their accusers boarded the cars. 

Neither of the men glanced toward the little group ; 
but a bystander who had been present at the trial, said 
loud enough to be heard by both : 

‘ ‘ It looks like pretty poor business for a big corpor- 
ation to try to send a boy to jail in order that he may 
be robbed of his property.” 

“You’re a sensible man,” Joe cried, approvingly, as 
he insisted on shaking hands with the stranger, “an’ if 
the time ever comes when me or my mate can do you a 
good turn we’ll be glad.” 

After this the four walked to the hotel, for Skip was 
sadly in need of food, and Joe said, in a tone of satis- 
faction : 

‘ ‘ I’m willin’ to bet considerable that when we get 
back to Farley’s we’ll find as how Wright has gone 
somewhere on business, an’ the cashier is takin’ a vaca- 
tion. Bill will show my telegram to everybody what 
conies in, and the whole town will be agin ’em.” 

“ If the company wins the suit, Mr. Wright won’t 
care very much about what is said, for with two mines 
he will be the boss of this section, ” Sam replied. ‘ ‘ I 
don’t bother with anything at Farley’s jest now ; the 
company can run matters to please themselves, if they 
fail to cheat us out of our property. ” 

Now that one cause for anxiety was removed the 
partners devoted more time to discussing the question 
of title, and before night-fall had succeeded in making 
themselves feel decidedly uncomfortable. 

During the evening Mr. Hunter called with cheer- 
ing news. 


ACQUITTED 


257 


“Among the subscribers I have found four gentle- 
men of means, who will advance the funds necessary 
for defending the suit, provided they are allowed a cer- 
tain additional amount of stock in case of success. The 
four owners of the property must sign an agreement to 
that effect, and the business is settled.” 

“ How will that affect our interest?” Fred asked. 

“I think an equitable arrangement would be to 
give you jointly one-half the amount of stock issued, 
and with the remainder there will be no difficulty in 
raising sufficient to open and operate the mine.” 

“Is that a fair division? We know very little 
about such things.” 

‘ ‘ If there had been no trouble your share would be 
larger ; but, under the circumstances, I think the prop- 
osition a generous one. ” 

“Then we are satisfied,” Joe replied. “Bring on 
your documents so we can sign ’em, for I want to get 
back to-morrow\ ’ ’ 

“ I will write the agreement, and go to Farley’s with 
you on the first train. Money for your personal ex- 
penses is to be advanced, and here is an installment. 
When it is gone come to me for more.” 

“A hundred dollars ! ” Joe exclaimed, as he counted 
the. bills. “ We can’t complain but that your subscrib- 
ers are doing the thing in good style. ” 

‘ ‘ So they should since a large amount of money is 
to be made, if we are successful with the suit.” 

Then Mr. Hunter left the partners, and Skip, who 
was already looked upon as a member of the new com- 
pany, and they found ample material for conversation 
until it was time to retire. 


17 


258 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


Next morning the party started for Farley’s in com- 
pany with the lawyer and one of the gentlemen who 
proposed to advance the capital. 

There were only a few people at the depot ; but 
from them Sam received a most cordial welcome. Men 
whom he had never spoken to before congratulated 
him upon the happy result of the trial, and many were 
the harsh words spoken against the superintendent and 
cashier. 

After he ran home to see his mother for a moment 
the four partners assembled in Bill’s chamber, and 
there the necessary documents were drawn up. 

‘ ‘ I have already applied for a charter, ’ ’ Mr. Hunter 
said, when all had signed, “ and it only remains to win 
the case before opening the mine.” 

“You’ll keep us posted about what is goin’ on?” 
Bill asked, and the lawyer replied in the affirmative, 
when he and the prospective stockholder took their 
departure, leaving the boys and Joe to gratify the 
invalid’s curiosity concerning the happenings at Black- 
town. 

On this day Fred saw Chunky for the first time since 
the discovery of the vein, and the breaker boy expressed 
his satisfaction at the result of the trial. 

“I knowed Sam wouldn’t steal money,” he said, 
emphatically; “but it looked one spell as if they’d 
prove it on him. ’ ’ 

“If it hadn’t been for Skip matters never would 
have been made so plain, and even if he was acquitted, 
some folks might have thought him guilty. ’ ’ 

“Yes, Skip did a good job there,” Chunky said, 
reflectively. “It’s funny he made such great friends 


ACQUITTED 


259 


with you fellers after bein’ so wild to serve you out. 
He’s left the regulators, too, an’ now I can be captain, 
if I want to.” 

“Why, I thought that foolish business had all been 
done away with.” 

“Not much it ain’t. We can get along without 
Skip, an’ not half try.” 

“Don’t have anything to do with such fellows, 
Chunky. You’ll only get into trouble, and the time is 
sure to come when, like Skip, you’ll be sorry for ever 
having had any connection with them.” 

“He didn’t run the concern same’s I’m goin’ to 
do, if I get to be captain,” Chunky replied, with a 
mysterious gesture, and then he hurried away in the 
direction of the breaker. 

During the week which followed Sam’s acquittal 
nothing of especial interest occurred. Bill was getting 
along as well as could have been expected ; but both he 
and his partners were decidedly dejected as to the result 
of Mr. Wright’s claim. 

As the days passed they grew more despondent, 
until Mrs. Byram insisted that nothing more be said 
about the suit in the presence of the invalid, because 
his extreme nervousness tended to excite fever. 

Then came the day on which a telegram was received 
from Mr. Hunter, requesting one or more of the part- 
ners to call at his office, and Joe and Fred made ready 
to answer the summons. 

“Don’t keep me waiting for the news,” Bill said 
sharply. “I can’t help thinkin’ Wright will spring 
some kind of a game on us, if he thinks there’s any 
chance this scheme might fail.” 


26 o 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ If we’re wanted on that business you shall hear 
the minute we know about it,” Joe replied, and then he 
and Fred started, preferring to walk rather than wait 
for the train. 

Contrary to Brace’s belief, both Mr. Wright and the 
cashier had remained at Farley’s after the trial. It is 
possible they heard a few unwelcome truths ; but, as a 
rule, those who were forced to work under them did not 
dare to speak too plainly. 

Neither Joe nor Fred had seen the gentlemen since 
they stepped on board the cars at Blacktown, but now 
they were met face to face when the travelers arrived at 
the out-cropping vein. 

The superintendent nodded carelessly, much as he 
would have done toward a stranger, while his compan- 
ion deliberately turned his back upon the newcomers. 

Joe whistled as he passed on, to show how little con- 
cern he felt at meeting the two whom he considered 
enemies, but he whispered to Fred when they were far- 
ther down the mountain : 

‘ ‘ I want to know what them fellers are doin’ out 
here. It looks as if some crooked work was goin’ on.” 

“ They can’t run away with the vein,” Fred replied 
laughingly, ” and I don’t see how their being in this 
vicinity can hurt us.” 

” Nor I ; but it won’t do any harm to watch ’em. 
They’re none too honest to play any kind of a mean 
trick.” 

“It’s too late to turn now, for they’d surely know 
what we were up to. ’ ’ 

“We can keep on a little farther, an’ then double 
back under cover of the trees. ’ ’ 


ACQUITTED 


261 


“ All right. I don’t suppose it will make much dif- 
ference if we loaf a bit.” 

Joe walked straight ahead until they were within 
shelter of a line of foliage, and then turning sharply to 
the left, circled around the side of the mountain to a 
point just above the vein, where the two men could be 
plainly seen, w^hile the watchers were hidden among the 
bushes. 

Mr. Wright and the cashier at first sight appeared 
to be walking aimlessly to and fro, as if calculating the 
width of the coal mine, and now and then the former 
stooped to pull up a stake, which he placed in another 
position. 

“It looks as if they was figgerin’ how wide the 
slope would have to be,” Joe whispered. “I reckon 
we’ve wasted our time sneakin’ over here.” 

” They are moving the stakes driven by the surv^ey- 
ors ! ” Fred exclaimed, after a brief pause. 

“ But what good will that do ’em? ” 

“I don’t know; of course, the lines can be run 
again by any one ; but there must be a scheme in it, 
for Mr. Wright wouldn’t be out here unless something 
could be gained by it.” 

“They’ve got no right on our land, an’ I’ll 
warn them off,” Joe said, as he arose excitedly to his 
feet. 

“ Don’t so much as show yourself. We’ll hurry on 
to see Mr. Hunter ; he’ll know w^hat is up.” 

“ Come on, then, an’ be quick about it, for there’s 
no tellin’ when these tricks are dangerous.” 

The miner and the boy literally ran down the hill, 
slackening not the pace until forced to do so, and both 


262 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


were nearly breathless when they neared the lawyer’s 
office. 

Before Mr. Hunter could speak Joe told what had 
been seen, and that gentleman grew quite as excited as 
were the others. 

“I learned yesterday that Wright had bought a 
strip of land near yours, regardless of the fact that he 
claims to own this side of the mountain, and has or- 
dered a force of workmen there immediately. We now 
know he is changing the surveyor’s stakes in order to 
erect buildings on our tract, and thus force us to be- 
come plaintiffs instead of defendants. 

‘ ‘ How would that benefit him ? ’ ’ 

“ In several ways which I have not time to explain. 
Wait here until I return.” 

Then Mr. Hunter left the office in great haste, and 
Fred and Joe looked at each other in dismay. 


CHAPTER XXXHI 

VICTORIOUS 

The lawyer did not return for several hours, and 
then he said : 

“ I have sent for surveyors, and we will run our 
own lines early to-morrow morning, after which an 
officer shall be stationed there to warn him from en- 
croaching. You must be on the spot as early as pos- 
sible to attend to matters.” 

“ He’ll find us when the sun comes up. Was this 
why you sent the telegram ? ’ ’ 


VICTORIOUS 


263 


“ I wanted to discover what he meant by the hiring 
of carpenters and the ordering of lumber ; but that you 
have already done.” 

‘ ‘ When will the case be tried ? ’ ’ 

“Next week I think; but that is of minor impor- 
tance just now. The supposed location of the purchase 
is to be pointed out to the surveyors, therefore one of 
you must remain here until they arrive. 

“ When do you expect them?” 

“On the first train to-morrow.” 

“ Fred can wait for ’em, an’ I’ll leave in time to get 
their by daylight. ’ ’ 

“Very well ; make your preparations to stay until I 
send word that it is no longer necessary. ’ ’ 

Joe and Fred left the office to purchase such provi- 
sions as might be needed while holding possession of 
the disputed property, and when this had been done 
the question arose as to how word could be sent to 
Bill. 

“The story is too long for a telegram,” Fred said, 
‘ ‘ so suppose we say by wire that there is nothing par- 
ticularly new, and write a letter?” 

“ Go ahead. I ain’t much of a fist with a pen, so 
while you’re tellin’ the yarn I’ll send the message.” 

Joe retired early in order to be in readiness for the 
journey, and Fred was not awake when, shortly after 
midnight, he slipped out of the house. 

It 'Was not an easy matter to find his way in the 
darkness ; but he finally succeeded after straying from 
the right course several times, and was thoroughly as- 
tonished at finding half a dozen men already in posses- 
sion. 


264 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


A small amount of lumber was scattered here and 
there, as if placed in readiness to be used, and a tem- 
porary camp had been erected close beside the coal 
vein. 

The men had but just awakened when he arrived, and 
in reply to his angry question of why they were there, 
one of them asked impudently : 

“ What business is it of yours?” 

“ I happen to own a quarter of this land, an’ it’ll be 
hot for all hands if there’s any attempt at puttin’ up a 
building.” 

” It’ll take us about two minutes to clean you out, 
an’ we’ll do it, if you so much as yip again.” 

Joe was literally trembling with rage. He fancied 
a portion of his title to the tract would be lost, if he did 
not drive the intruders away, and before the spokesman 
had time to defend himself against an attack, the miner 
knocked him headlong with one well-directed blow. 
Then, picking up an axe which lay near by, he made 
such a furious onslaught upon the remainder of the 
party that they scattered in every direction. 

Instead of following, he chopped and tore at the 
camp until it was demolished, and then destroyed all 
the provisions it had contained, in addition to pounding 
into shapeless masses the tin cooking utensils. 

By this time the carpenters got their scattered 
forces together and were marching in a body against 
the man who had put them to flight. 

In the immediate vicinity of the camp were stored 
nearly all the tools, and, standing over these, Joe 
shouted : 

“As true as my name’s Brace I’ll kill the first man 


VICTORIOUS 265 

who comes here,” and he brandished the axe above his 
head. 

“Don’t be a fool!” some one cried. “ What can 
you do against the crowd ? ’ ’ 

“ Split open the head of the first who comes within 
strikin’ distance. After that has been done you may 
manage to get the best of me ; but one is sure to go 
down — which shall it be? ” 

None of the party cared to prove the truth of Joe’s 
threat, and they fell back a short distance, giving him 
an opportunity to intrench himself behind the fragments 
of the camp. 

The miner took care to gather the tools around him 
so they could not be seized in case a sudden rush was 
made, and then, as he afterward said, “read the riot 
act ’ ’ to the trespassers. 

Matters were in this condition when Fred and the 
surveyors arrived. 

The carpenters were seated on the ground a short 
distance away, while Joe remained perched on the ruins 
of the hut calmly smoking his pipe ; but prepared for 
any attack, however sudden. 

“ Go back to Blacktown and tell the lawyer to send 
some officers,” the miner cried. “These beauties are 
countin’ on buildin’ a house right here. I’ll hold 'em 
off till they can be arrested.” 

“Oh, yes you will,” one of the party shouted. 
“ Wait till the crowd get here from Farley’s, an’ then 
we’ll see who runs this place.” 

Joe brandished his axe, as an intimation of what he 
was prepared to do, and cried to Fred who stood in 
silent astonishment a few paces away : 


266 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


“ Hurry on, lad, there’s no time to be lost ! ” 

This roused Fred to a sense of the necessity for im- 
mediate action, and he started off at full speed. 

The surveyors thinking quite naturally that they 
were not included in the hostilities, made ready to per- 
form the work for which they had been engaged ; but 
no sooner were the instruments set up than the carpen- 
ters made a dash at them, crying : 

“If we have to lay still you shall do the same. 
Stand back an’ wait till Mr. Wright comes.” 

“Stick to your job, an’ if one will help me. I’ll get 
rid of the whole boiling,” Joe cried as he advanced. 

“Look here, my friend,” the elder of the surveying 
party said in a low tone, “ I understand something 
about this fight, and don’t propose to get mixed up in 
what isn’t really any of my business. We’ll run the 
lines, if nobody molests us ; but won’t put ourselves out 
to do it.” 

“Then I can’t count on you? ” 

“ Not at all ; this is too serious business for us to 
be involved in. If you want to buy a good revolver, 
though. I’ll sell one cheap, and take my pay when we 
meet in Blacktown. 

‘ ‘ You’re a brick, ” Joe cried, enthusiastically. ‘ ‘ Give 
me the shooter, an’ I’ll guarantee to pay any price for 
it.” 

The weapon was delivered, and the miner left his 
fortification, marching directly toward the enemy. 

“ I give you a fair warnin’ to clear out,” he said, 
leveling the revolver. “This is m}^ land, an’ I order 
every one to leave. These surveyors are here to run 
the lines for my partners an’ me. The first who inter- 


VICTORIOUS 


267 


feres with em’ will get a ball. I ain’t talkin’ foolish, 
for you know the law will uphold me in defendin’ my 
own. Now begin the job,” he added, to the surveying 
party, “an’ we’ll see who wants to have trouble.” 

This argument was understood by Mr. Wright’s 
adherents, and they kept at a respectful distance, while 
the others did their work. 

New stakes were set up without any regard to those 
already in position, and the labor had but just been com- 
pleted when the superintendent and two members of his 
company arrived. 

‘ ‘ Why are you not at work ? ” he asked one of the 
carpenters. 

For reply the man pointed toward Joe, who was pac- 
ing to and fro on what he believed to be the boundary 
line of his property. 

“ Get those timbers up,” Mr. Wright cried angrily. 

“You may drag them off; but the first one who 
dares so much as raise a joist for any other purpose, 
shall suffer ! ” Joe shouted. 

‘ ‘ Knock that fellow down ! What business has he 
here?” and the superintendent’s voice trembled wdth 
suppressed fury. 

“I’m where I belong, an’ seein’s how your men 
don’t dare do the knockin’ down, s’ pose you take a 
hand at it.” 

Mr. Wright advanced as if to act upon the sugges- 
tion ; but before he reached the imaginary line the 
miner shouted : 

“If you put a foot on this land I’ll shoot. Send 
your crowd home, and then if you want to tackle me 
I’ll throw the revolver down, an’ meet you half way.” 


268 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


The superintendent paid no attention to this remark, 
save to halt on the safe side of the danger line, where 
he whispered a few words to one of his men, and the 
latter started at full speed for Farley’s. 

“I reckon my jig is about up,” Joe muttered to 
himself. “He’s sent for help, an’ they’re bound to 
bring what’ll be of more service than this revolver.” 

The surveyors, evidently believing there was no 
especial reason why they should stay, now matters were 
nearing a crisis, took their departure, and the miner 
was once more left alone to defend his rights. Ten 
minutes later Fred appeared from among the trees, fol- 
lowed by five determined looking men, and Joe’s cheers 
were not ended when Mr. Hunter came in view. 

The lawyer shook hands with the miner as he said : 

“You’ve saved us w’hat might have been a bad 
mess. Now we have a reasonably large force, and can 
hold out until an injunction is procured.” 

‘ ‘ Are you likely to get one soon ? ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ A clerk will bring it in a short time. The applica- 
tion has been granted, and the only delay is while the 
papers can be made out.” 

“I’m glad of that, for Wright has sent after more 
help, an’ when it comes things are likely to be hot.” 

Mr. Hunter now advanced and held a long conver- 
sation with the superintendent and his friends, at the 
conclusion of which he ordered Joe to have the lumber 
dragged from the tract staked out by the surveyors. 

In this work Fred assisted, while the miner stood 
guard with his revolver to prevent any interference, and 
when the task was finished the former whispered to his 
partner : 


VICTORIOUS 


269 


“ Did they scare you, Joe? ” 

“ Well, I don’t mind ownin’ to you that they did ; 
but not one in the gang knew it. I was bound to stick 
as long as I could, an’ a big lot of bluff helped me 
through.” 

” Mr. Hunter says that if the injunction can be 
served on Mr. Wright before the men begin w^ork, it 
will be all right.” 

‘ ‘ Is that the only thing he knows of to stop mat- 
ters?” 

” It will be enough.” 

“I’d rather trust to my fist than any paper that was 
ever written. ’ ’ 

After a time Fred succeeded in making the miner 
understand w^hat kind of a document it was they de- 
pended upon to prevent the superintendent from tres- 
passing, and the explanation had but just been made as 
Mr. Hunter’s clerk arrived with the important docu- 
ment. 

When this had been served on Mr. Wright the mat- 
ter was settled temporarily, and the lawyer said to Fred 
and Joe : 

“ You can return home, and the next summons will 
be for the trial. This move of Wright’s has been a 
foolish one, and will, I think, prejudice his case.” 


270 


DOWN THE SEOPE 


CHAPTER XXXIV 

THE NEW MINE 

It is unnecessary to give the details of the long trial 
to establish the title of that certain tract of land known 
as “Eouder’s Slope.” 

Suffice it to say that all the claimants were there 
with the exception of Bill Thomas, and the case was 
finally settled in favor of the defendants. 

The farmer who sold the property to Joe was liter- 
ally frightened into telling the truth, and although the 
company showed a deed for the land, no record could be 
found for the same. 

The general opinion of those who understood the 
case was that Mr. Wright had attempted to play a des- 
perate game, and failed because it was impossible to 
corrupt certain parties in the Recorder of Deeds’ office. 
In fact, a very ugly rumor gained circulation immedi- 
ately after the trial, to the effect that a large sum of 
money had been offered a clerk, if he would change a 
number of figures on the books to correspond with the 
deed which was exhibited in court. 

When Joe, Fred, and Sam returned home absolute 
owners of the valuable tract, the walk from the depot 
to Mrs. Byram’s house was a regular ovation. 

Those who rejoiced wffien it seemed certain the boys 
would not benefit by the discovery, were apparently as 
well pleased as the partners’ warmest friends, ’and 
during the evening following the announcement of 
the verdict, Farley’s was in a high state of excite- 
ment. 


THE NEW MINE 


271 


Among the last who called to offer congratulations 
was Skip, and he said emphatically as he and Fred 
stood by the side of Bill’s bed : 

“I’m as glad as if some of the luck was mine. 
You say I’ve squared accounts, an’ that’s enough to 
make me feel mighty good. Of course, you’ll have to 
hire breaker boys, an’ I’d like a job at the new mine, 
’cause it ain’t likely things here’ll be very pleasant for 
me.’’ 

“Fred an’ me have figgered out a place for you, 
lad,” the old miner replied, as he took Skip’s hand in 
his. ‘ ‘ Our mine won’ t be open for two or three 
months, an’ durin’ that time the firm are goin’ to send 
you to school. When the store is opened — for, of 
course, we’ll need one — you’re to go into it, an’ the 
day Skip Miller can take hold of the accounts he’s goin’ 
to have full charge. ’ ’ 

The ex-captain of the regulators looked from one to 
the other in silence several seconds, and then he asked, 
in a hesitating way: 

“ You ain’t makin’ fun of a feller, eh?” 

“ Not a bit of it, lad, an’ if you run over to Black- 
town to-morrow an’ ask Mr. Hunter he’ll show that the 
money has been paid for your schooling. ’ ’ 

Skip did not trust himself to reply, but after shak- 
ing each of his friends by the hand he hurriedly left the 
house, and Chunky, who entered a few moments later, 
said to B'red : 

“ I reckon Skip wishes he was you. I met him jest 
now, an’ he was cryin’ reg’lar tears, an’ wouldn’t stop 
to listen when I told him the fellers had chose me for 
captain.” 


272 


DOWN THK SDOPK 


Nothing was seen of either Mr. Wright or his cash- 
ier until nearly two weeks after the case had been ended, 
and then the former called at Mrs. Byram’s cottage to 
offer his “congratulations.” 

It is not well that there should be any hard feelings 
between us since we are to be neighbors,” he said. 

‘ ‘ What I did was in the interests of the company which 
I represent, and any other course would have been im- 
possible. ’ ’ 

To this remark Fred made no reply; but he was 
willing to be on apparently friendly terms with the 
superintendent, which was more than can be said of 
the elder partners. 

Bill bluntly told Mr. Wright what he thought of his 
conduct, and expressed the hope in very plain words, 
that it would not be necessary for the new firm to have 
any business relations with the old company. 

Four months later the Byram-Thorpe works were 
formally opened, with Bill as mine boss, Fred and Sam 
as superintendents, and Joe in charge of the shipments. 

It must not be understood that the two boys w^ere fully 
qualified for their responsible positions ; Bill and Joe 
acted as advisers, and if one year’s work is any criterion 
the quartette have administered the affairs most wisely, 
for in all the middle field there are no better or more 
contented miners than can be found at the Byram-Thorpe 
works. 

In one year Skip was pronounced competent to take 
full charge of the store, and to-day it would be difficult 
to select a fellow better liked than he. On the Black- 
town side of the mountain every one speaks of him in 
the most flattering terms, and at Farley’s he is held up 


THK NKW MINK 


273 


to breaker boys as an example of how one may live down 
a bad reputation. 

Chunky still works under Donovan ; he could not 
make up his mind to resign from the regulators, and to- 
day his record is by no means as good as it should be. 
Neither Fred nor Sam cared to take him with them, for 
both knew by bitter experience the aim of his associa- 
tion, and did not wish to introduce anything of the kind 
at the new mine. 

Gus Dobson was arrested about a month after Sam 
had been pronounced innocent. On running away from 
Mr. Wright’s house he hid in the woods near where 
Tim was found ; but four weeks of this kind of a life 
was sufficient. 

He presented a most deplorable appearance when he 
returned home one morning. His clothes were in tat- 
ters, the shoes literally hanging from his feet, and the 
pangs of hunger printed on his face. Imprisonment 
was a far less severe punishment than starvation, and 
as he said, “ the judge couldn’t give him any sentence 
worse than sneaking around the mountains without food 
or shelter.” 

The new mine has only been in operation about a 
year ; but that is time enough to show that the vein is 
much richer than the one at Farley’s. Instead of being 
forced to spend money making a shaft or slope, coal of 
good quality has been taken out from the first, and al- 
ready do the original owners consider themselves 
wealthy. It is true the united amount in bank would 
not be thought large by many ; but their income is con- 
siderably in excess of all necessary expenses and, what 
is better yet, perfect content dwells with them. 

18 





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